I have mentioned previously a dear friend who recently lost a loved one. I have watched how the family has taken time to grieve privately, hunkering down to support and strengthen one another. Although, the experience is still so new and so fresh, I see them drawing on their courage and re-engaging with the community. What tremendous hope it must take to host a community activity and slowly, empowered by the forces born of connection, welcome the recovery from hardship. I see in them and through their actions a deep well of faith and endurance modeled for me in each passing day. I draw strength from their example to move through my own troubles. I see the wisdom in relying on resilience to guide me through today. As I near the completion of a work project, I struggle with bringing a report to a close. The work is by no means finished, in fact it is just beginning and I would like the report to stimulate the motivation it will require to face the future with a new and improved orientation. In essence, I want the organisation to recognise its inherent resilience and take steps to strengthen it. I have other related community projects that require of me to learn new things quickly, assume a leadership role and I feel like a fish out of water. The beauty about service is that when I drop the illusion that I need to put forward a facade of perfection right at the outset, I may settle into taking the time to climb the steep learning curve and be open to ask for patience and consideration as I take the time to assume a new role. I also have a short presentation to give in relation to land acknowledgements - the first step in repairing the gross wrong doings that were inflicted on our indigenous community. I have a deep desire not to simply read a perfunctorily crafted paragraph, but to take time to ask deep searching questions to stimulate a sense of ownership, empathy for the indigenous communities suffering and active thinking around possible next steps we may take as an organisation. I have not heard land acknowledgments given in this manner and my independent spirit compels me to make this experience meaningful for myself and others. It feels hard as I anticipate potential responses but I chose to embrace the hard wholeheartedly and resilience gives me a wink of encouragement that I am indeed on the right path. Finally, my living situation has been precarious for some time and now it is certain that we will need to relocate. I am grateful for the comfort of my family and community as I explore the delights the future may hold.
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