Learning Lab Consulting

This. Is. Truth. Education, including adult development, is about more than just teaching “work”. Everywhere we go, we’re humans learning to live... This quote from Du Bois was in the Beyoncé documentary Homecoming, which records the journey and outcome of becoming the first African American female to headline Coachella. It was so powerful to see how education was such a strong theme of the performance and the preparation.... We’re all learning, always. @ Columbus, Ohio

A late update on how my silent retreat went: transformative. I will definitely be writing more about it. For now I just want to share that I feel like I am understanding what true self compassion is on a deeper level—and perhaps for the first time. While I consider it the work of my life to try and create safe space for others to be who they truly are, this may be the first time I have experienced someone creating that safety for me to grow and develop—certainly the first time it was so purposeful and loving. The silence was described as "friendly," and I was encouraged to care for my needs the whole time. I realized that while I no longer say terrible things about myself in my head (something I started working on five or so years ago), I am still very demanding of myself, and definitely to a fault. I realized I was seeing my body, mind, spirit, as a tool and caring for them that way, not as something to love and cherish. I came back and made some hard decisions, good decisions, and am taking things a bit slower. I am feeling really good and excited to share more. Thanks to everyone who sent me love and positive wishes! So many folks did, and I felt that, too. (Photo was taken from the plane window on the way home)

Searching through piles of ideas, stacks of language, this morning. Moving closer to the structures that will allow me to go forward. This is what writing looks like this morning.

"Winter clears the landscape, however brutally, giving us a chance to see ourselves and each other more clearly." These words of Parker Palmer describe the metaphorical gifts of winter, a season he says we can't be scared to walk out into, as its the only way to healthfully survive long months of cold and darkness. A few years ago, I read these words from "Let Your Life Speak," and they inspired me to invest in a warm winter coat, gloves, and hat, that would allow me to enjoy the outdoors in every season. I had, nonetheless, taken fewer walks in the last few months. Today I remembered, and I have been out again, walking the whole morning. I feel cold but rejuvenated, reminded. Every season has its gifts. @ Columbus, Ohio

Holiday Newsletter 2: My FAVORITE (Good) Things Cont. - Looking for low cost self-care gifts for you and your loves ones? Here are a few ideas. https://mailchi.mp/c85cb3a18ec5/holiday-newslettermy-favorite-good-things-1736289