For the past three years I have attended Alton Wasson's Facilitator workshop. This year Daphne Lowell joined him in leading us through a very rich three days.
Ann Mcginity said..."Once again I'm noticing those ripples that spill out into my life after our time together...confidence, contentment...Thank you all so much."
Here are some of my(Elizabeth) thoughts on what I learned from the weekend:
On the practical level I learned again that set up and sharing takes more time than I think it will. I learned to practice reading the poem I want to read a few times out loud so I don't stumble over the words quite so much. I learned that if I do stumble or loose my place or lose the poem to take a breath and slow down and just be kind to myself about my humanness and lack of perfection in the leading process. I learned that if I cry a bit it is just because I am touched and that is a special part of the process.
On a more reflective level I learned that my own ambivalence for being a facilitator has do with the leadership having a performance quality to it. So the more I can focus off of performance and onto presence the more deeply nurturing it is for me to be a facilitator. I learned that even when doing a simple leadership structure I will likely be nervous, but by the end of the time my nervousness has transformed to excitement about what has unfolded in the session together.
I learned that my own design of workshop time is likely to reflect who I am and what I need, so I want to be sure to give lots of room for other choices beyond my own design so other participants can find what they need. At the same time designing from my own authentic place of need and desire likely enhances what I have to offer. I learned I want to make room in my design for my own participation as a mover because of my own needs for that and because it reminds everyone that we are all in the end peers in this process.
© 2009 Elizabeth Reid
Hi Elizabeth,
I really enjoyed your blog entry. Thanks for sharing!
I wish I had more time to contribute to the blog, but I'm soooo happy to have this as a resource.
Thanks so much for all your efforts.
~Mieke
Hi Elizabeth! It is lovely to read your thoughts about facilitation. So honest and resonant!
I hope to take another workshop soon....
Love,
Dawn
Elizabeth, you write so practically and yet with a burgeoning wisdom. It is so good to hear your clarity. thank you.