Friday, January 20, 2006


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> …… the room is set in a comfortable but informal way. When the time is getting near I am in there with the music laying a good groove.
In amble a few humans.
YES IT IS GROUP WORK STARTING ………….. and I am there as the punter facilitator.
I am in a Homeless Hostel - over a hundred beautiful humans. Some I know - have done the footwork. Usually, before the event, there is a handout which is created with non-readers in mind – always.

I always feel apprehensive before a group.
Adrenaline has to pump in a relaxed style for me to function well and be a positive tool in the operation.
I ask the names of any new people so they are equal in terms of greeting and personal involvement.
Similar to leading games and some really silly kind of fun in other contexts – I always plan every detail and for every option and, hopefully, every scenario.
(It amazes me to see people leading games, for instance, and it all being sloppy - no fun for the watching crowd
- ALL because the person leading the game is too interested in self enjoyment or ego.)


So here I am at the start of a group - with feelings in abundance and prepared conducted in detail ……… but busking it and not following a prepared script!
Maybe I will use The Blob Tree or Blob Leaps, or Blob Level Five, or Blob Maslow, or Blob Feelings......... or many other item from the toolbox.
So in comes the humans and the group starts with some food as an activity. Food and a cuppa tea vital for informal 'climate setting'......... and always welcome when working in a Hostel environment.

The subject is unknown to me at that point. Three options are often prepared and the one used is the one I judge the best for the assembled group. Certain activities could not be used for a large group or a small noisy group …….. some maybe high on chemicals or alcohol for instance.

Always there is a risk taken to create an experience not just a heady discussion.
I am after levels of communication you will know about if you read my blog often.
I am after human development - NOT only fun and opinions.
This risk stretches me – too.
This risk troubles me.
This risk hurts when I fail to do what I aimed for.
This risk hurts sometimes.
This risk is sometimes failure.
This risk is fantastic and at it’s deepest and exciting .......... and better than that so often.
I never fail to be impressed at how humans can respond to challenge.

"Community is a safe place precisely because no one is attempting to heal or convert you, to fix you, to change you. Instead, the members accept you as you are. You are free to be you. And being so free, you are free to discard defenses, masks, disguises: free to seek your own psychological and spiritual health."

M. Scott Peck


I will leave you now ............. to spend some time with ………..

............. it is important that you are the person you want to spend the rest of your life with ……<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<


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