I’ve been learning a lot about myself over the last couple of weeks. As one should. Or, does. Or, get’s to. My learnings these days so often point to some of the deeper story of going well together in groups. The deeper story of what brings us alive together.
There were two things that I particularly appreciated last week in working with NGLI (Next Generation Leadership Initiative). That’s pastors of the United Church of Christ tradition — most of them are in their mid-30s. Over five days together. An impressive bunch.
One, is the importance of creating hearth. I like to say “hearthing.” It’s creating a potent home space. A center in a circle. That holds items important to us. That holds names of people who cheer for us, and that we care about. A hearth that encourages our presence together. And our belonging. And our becoming.
The photo on the left was last week’s version. I love it that it was simple. Mostly created by the group when we started together. And so, so enlivened by short stories about the people and the items.
Hearthed.
Two, is this notion of “little things that are big things.” It’s a theme that my colleague Travis and I emphasized a lot with our cohort, and with the full program of four cohorts in a final harvest. Little things like friendship. Like sharing stories. Like asking questions together. Like learning Circle together. Like learning Open Space together. Yes, that are big things.
The photo on the right collages some of that from last week. I love the appreciations. I love the willingness to share and notice together in a couple rounds of people in groups of four, knee to knee, World Cafe style. It’s so often a connection (about little things) that creates courage and compassion together (big things).
So, yes. Glad to be with others in the spirit of learning and bringing ourselves alive together. In the spirit of going well together in groups. It is at the heart of facilitation that I so love. It’s at the heart of learnings about facilitation that I so love to grow with others.
PS: Glad to be writing again. Hello again to you reading and sharing.