We are all weak, finite, simple human beings, standing in the need of
prayer. None need it so much as those who think they are strong, those who know
it not, but are deluded by self-sufficiency.
-Harold C. Phillips
One thing I need to work on for this 'blog, but also for facilitation, is increasing my consistency.
Δ More consistency.
Δ Learn to say "no" and practice it often. Even when well-rested and just back from two weeks vacation, always saying "yes, I don't need your help." "Yes, you can take care of that need," trains people that in general I do not need or want support. And that's not true.
I feel like this program I habituated others to being lazy, and I got mad that they weren't around. Saying "yes" is good. So is saying "no."
Δ Need to work on my facilitation of creek-hopping. No standing/walking in water? Seems like a lot of foot/ankle danger would be mitigated by this rule. Move along the bank to explore, if you find a spot you like have a sit.
Anyway, disorganized thoughts in no particular order:
- + I was able to get my 12 students out to the back 40 where we had a crate lunch which had the right amount of things in it. An accomplishment because I packed it myself.
- + Got to take my 12 students creek-hopping, a favorite activity of mine.
- + Even after packing my own crate lunch for Tuesday, Monday I had enough energy to stay at work until 10 helping to finish pack-outs for two/three expeditions that were going out the next day.
- + After 10 days of vacation I had enough steam last night to help three facilitators get a group of pretty challenging foster students (from Trenton?) out to their campsite a little more efficiently. I threw a bear bag and went back to main camp to do a night walk, then went back to bring ice for a student with a bum ankle and tissues for another.
- + Made up a new activity, TP Walks (The good old line-up-log or telephone pole activity with people going backwards or blindfolded, hands clasped as for trust leans. At the beginning, commands are said, then the person leans to the left and the right to feel their spotters next to them before attempting to traverse the log. I see very little reason to do trust falls, like, ever, and I think this is a good, active compromise.)
- + My students asked if they could baptize me in the creek in our back 40, which was pretty funny.
- Having one younger student among the 12-15 year olds' really brought out a lot of leadership, in all involved (including the shockingly insightful kid, and the surprisingly ignorant/disrespectful 16-year-old Junior Counselor they brought with).
I have to end this post with a story. Yesterday I came in from canoeing, lifeguarding swimming, and hiking out to Power Rock and the back 40 for lunch, and as I walked past the porch two chaperones said "Long day, huh?" informing me of how bushed I must have looked. I felt pretty good, but it was a good long day, too. Sometimes I don't realize how tired I am until someone says "you look tired."
When I was back out at the campsite of the group with the foster kids in it, I saw in two of their facilitators what those two women must have seen in me: Exhausted, but smiling (because sometimes if I didn't smile I'd cry.) Laughing, but not at anything in particular (because sometimes if I didn't laugh I'd scream.) Quiet and capable of thought, but eyes show surprising vacancy (lights are on but nobody's home, all brainpower used up.)
