I wish I could tell you what it feels like
to come to a place where you are understood
and deeply seen.
I wish I could tell you what it does to one’s heart
to know that your passions are shared, celebrated, and encouraged.
I wish I could tell you what it means
to share a space with 400 other women and men
and know that the feminine is truly honoured and welcomed in.
I wish I could tell you how energizing it is
to have conversations that ask for your
deepest questions and vulnerabilities.
I wish I could tell you how moving it is
to be reminded, by the way it is modeled,
that questions are the way to lead change.
I wish I could tell you how it makes your body come alive
when you move around the space with your tribe members
trusting that bodies hold wisdom our minds know nothing about.
I wish I could tell you how it transforms a space
when someone sits down on the floor with coloured markers
and begins to draw your questions and dreams.
I wish I could tell you about the feeling of power
when passionate people move into a circle
and there is no stronger position than the one you occupy.
I wish I could tell you about the tears that fill one’s eyes
when a truly passionate artist/performer
steps into his full beauty with driftwood and glass balls.
I wish I could tell you about the magic
of a brief after-dinner conversation
about stillborn babies and butterflies and our deep women’s stories.
I wish I could tell you all of these things.
But I can’t. Because words are only dim reflections of the truth.
(p.s. I am at ALIA Summer Institute, my watering hole, summer camp, tribal council, retreat, and learning journey all rolled into one.)
Oh Heather, but you have and so well, too. Seeing you, with Kathy and some other familiar faces brings your words straight to my heart. I knew after a three month journey, and a challenging homecoming, that to be at ALIA was not possible though I do feel wistful.
Keep on with your telling. With love, Katharine
I hope you have a wonderful time of rest and rejuvenation.
This is so beautiful Heather! What is ALIA?
Hi Tera,
ALIA is Authentic Leadership in Action, the next iteration of a world renown leadership institute originally called the Shambhala Institute of Authentic Leadership, out of Halifax, NS. I met Heather there last year. If you’re curious see:
http://summer2011.aliainstitute.org/share-your-thoughts/