Life in a group is, well, challenging. Especially when you have a large group with a very diverse set of needs, energy and attention levels, and then you throw in some unique scenarios, like pouring rain, flus and colds, and still expectations from the outside world to perform.
Let's rewind a couple days to our absolutely lovely mid-tour retreat at Linnea Farm on quiet gunflint lake on Cortes Island, where we had a cozy space warmed by a wood stove for debriefing, rehearsing and cooking. The farm itself is set in a super unique eco-tone where there is fresh water, bluffs, and small flat valleys for farming in. There are many neat things about this place, but one that was of particular interest to me was the farm school program that they offer for 8 months. Students learn everything from vegetable farming to wildcrafting, permaculture, animal husbandry, welding, carpentry, and biodynamics. We had the wonderful opportunity to have a potluck with a number of the 11 people who are part of the program, and it turned out that they were all young women, much like the women on our team, and conversation and inspiration ensued about each other's adventures with learning! I warned our host that they might just see an application from a certain Kayla someday down the road for this unique program...
As we adventured onward the cold that was running through our group worsened, I caught it, and a few others were starting to have the flu. We were heading out of Campbell River, post performance, down to settle in Royston at an organic strawberry farm, where we'd be camping out while in the Comox Valley. The land and our hosts were beautiful, gracious and warm, but the weather certainly was not. Those in the group that were feeling the cold and flu, were in less then excited moods at the prospect of staying outside for a few days in rudimentary facilities, away from tow in the chilly pouring rain. So, we sought indoor space. Luckily some of my other contacts here set us up at the community centre where we now have warm space to sleep.
But it really made me reflect on just how very very lucky we are to have warm indoor spaces, and how I feel so selfish and spoiled when I even consider the fact that I might feel hungry, or cold. There are so many folks out there who deal with such feelings in a chronic way, who am I to acknowledge these feelings? To consider that even though our bellies were full, we had tents and camp stoves but the group still wasn't satisfied really made me sad.
In an effort to keep our group harmonious, healthy and happy I moved into town, tried to show as much gratitude to the folks at the strawberry farm as possible, and smiled at the generosity of our new hosts. But I really still crave the simplicity of the farm. I like experiencing some discomforts, so that I might feel a little closer to those folks who don't always feel warm, safe and cozy. Uncomfortable situations are some of the best opportunities to learn about yourself, and to learn about your group...and learn I have.
Flash forward to today, a visit, with just five from my team who felt they had the energy to get on our bicycles and cycle 20km out to a family operated woodlot. Harold Macy, who wrote an amazing book that I am so excited to read entitled "The Four Storey Forest; As Grow the trees, so too the Heart" was a great inspiration to us five who visited the sustainably forested woodlot, and did a walk around with him on his land. He takes such time and care in the forest, and truly respects Mother Nature's power and force and unique ability to tell a story that we will never quite understand.
A part of Harold's epilogue reads:
"I have learned to recognize the pragmatism of the forest and not dwell on the unchangeable, but to get over it and move on."
A good lesson beyond the forest too, eh?
"The trees have a way of welcoming us, nurturing us, and subtly allowing us to grow, even as they do. I encourage you to walk in the forest, to work among the trees with tools in hand, and to allow time for the subtle voices to tell you their stories. You will be rewarded."
A good lesson indeed.
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