1.
E-mail material advertising this workshop caught my attention
because it presented a thorough, informative introduction to anger
that included an invitation to engage anger in a constructive way in
order to transform it and reap its potential for an impassioned life.
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Throughout the evening, I experienced the communication (spoken and
energetic) from Kelly, the team, and the guests as genuine and focused
on deep healing.
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Kelly, as facilitator, provided information/ “learned gems”
about anger and by exemplifying open, respectful (to self and others)
sharing about it, others were forthcoming with their own experience and
questions.
3.
Friday night, Saturday and Sunday:
Safe Atmosphere: Intentionally created with care and was
effectively nonjudgmental and accepting of the whole continuum of
expressing feelings or not expressing oneself. (choice) Trust developed
easily.
Inclusively:
Respectful relationships developed amongst everyone.
These were assisted by notable listening and careful responding
to questions, modeled by Kelly who was “hearing, on many levels” and
providing complete answers. Team members were also very perceptive of
individual and group needs and responded accordingly.
The emphasis on process provided the seamless integration
of theory and experiencing (past and/or present).
All the above
contributed to meeting my individual needs within my comfort
zone as well as challenging me to move beyond old limiting behaviors.
E.g. Expressing anger energetically challenges me because my comfort
zone has been to keep it inside, resulting in depression.
Also, speaking in the large group challenges me even further than
the smaller group because I feel my fears and experience vulnerability.
Also, feeling deep sadness in the “forgiveness activity” was
uncomfortable, however, it helps me to open up my jaw, neck and lungs
and express buried feelings.
Opportunities, encouragement and support . e.g.
journaling, small group sharing/learning
& large group activities, comforting touch, etc. were built into the
process to assist me in meeting the above challenges. I’m sure others
experienced the value of these also. Provided with “permission” from
the “outside” helped me to give myself permission and reinforcement.
Expressing anger is definitely a “growing edge” for me.
Additional
things that I liked:
The
music and the dance exercise
helped to create movement of energy, balance and levity amongst some
heavier feelings.
I
appreciated the straight-forward language that was used by Kelly
to explain things i.e. not getting into a lot of psychological terms
that may mean different things to different people.
Acknowledgment
of spirit, invoking spirit’s love and
support for the intentions and exploration of ourselves.
I
appreciated the cards that I drew: “Giving to Take”. This is
a further reminder, with additional insight into my “need to
ingratiate”. I also am more aware of the crucial nature of developing
appropriate boundaries to get my real needs met without needing to
manipulate others in order to receive.
I
found all of the material in the green folder very thorough on
each topic and thereby very good for insight and growth.
Efficient
organization by the Dextrazes, the entire
team and Kelly.
I’m
grateful for the generosity of StarTree Integration Adventures: Kelly
Tobey, for the practice of having a draw on Thursday evening for
one free attendance to the weekend gathering. I gained
immensely from this opportunity.