the beginning of the trip began early, but we ended up late (as usual). my car couldn't handle the weight of 4 people; the wheel well scraped precariously against the tires. amber, rob, arthur and i had to come up with a quick plan. we ditched my car in riverwest and rob* led us the rest of the way. onward we trekked, leaving behind not only excalibur (my poor car), but also the cassette player and wood-jointed snake i found only a day earlier.
we arrived a half-hour late to the retreat. i feel like a serial late-comer, though this time the excuse was actually valid. i'm trying my best, i can only hope it will be good enough. if not, due to circumstances, it may be the undoing of a future.
once we got into the main lodge, we did some general introductory work as well as an icebreaker or two. we paired up and got blindfolded, then threw crumpled-up newspapers at each other. it seems the p.a. are all about the newspaper; apparently, there's a newspaper fashion show tonight.
our second icebreaker involved getting into groups using non-verbal communication based on similar interests or the like (people with glasses, people who like to cook, musicians, etc.). this retreat, perhaps the whole program, seems to have a lot of the same principles as alverno. i'm starting to see why particular aspects are emphasized over others. i think the program and my studies are complimentary; the foundations and philosophies are already beginning to take root in my thought process.
after we discussed fundamental procedures, we talked about the 5 core principles of the program. each one ( diversity and inclusion, continuous learning, focus on assets, collaboration, and integrity) was listed and we stuck post-its with our understanding/goals of each principle on corresponding posters.
following that, there's been a lot of down time to really retreat from reality in the conventional sense. we swam and played frisbee and unwound a bit. after our campfire fashion show, we had more discussions and headed back to the dorms.
as soon as i got in, someone started blaring music as loud as could be; and so i snapped. jessica took me to the gas station so i could pick up some cigarettes; i ended up apologizing to everyone, and tried to reflect on things as they happened.
i'm trying to use this time to refresh myself spiritually and emotionally to take in all the lessons as well as the potential friendships created and the simple beauty of this place. we went up to a hill to play a few games (with team building strategies secretly embedded) when there was a gust of wind that blew down a shower of spade-shaped leaves. i don't know who else was watching, but it was beautiful.
i'm attempting to be more positive through all this, because i know i struggle with time-imposing. i don't like being told when to eat, when to go somewhere, how long to reflect; all of this is part of the team building challenge. we are learning to function as an efficient unit of organized adults preparing to make a difference; now is the time to put away our youthful know-all egos and begin to step into those roles of the community-oriented adult.
another goal i have for this retreat is to be a better listener**; i don't want to just hear what people are saying, but to absorb it and take it into consideration rather than waiting for my turn to speak. part of listening too, is giving others the chance to express themselves. otherwise, no listening is actually taking place.
*i think rob has a tee shirt collection to rival mine.
** this is a goal i am going to try and implement over the course of the program
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