Maybe it comes from being the oldest in my family. Maybe it is because of being an extrovert. Or it just may be a habit of taking “charge” and being allowed to do that and being appreciated in doing so.
Whatever the reason, I have recently become aware that sometimes, one is best NOT to take the lead on a project that is birthed from within a group, but to listen to the source of the verbalized vibrant energy from within the group, to pull in the reigns, hold back and let what will be, be.
This requires great trust in others, in the unknown, and in allowing oneself to BE led by other leaders in the group.
Is this not what happens when a group adopts a new form of leadership to replace the “familiar” and comfortable ways of being and ministering together?
In my relationship with the Indigenous Knowledge keepers and elders with whom I have been privileged to work in presenting the Kairos Blanket Exercise, the evolution that has happened because of the pandemic is the urgency to continue to share the TRUTH of our Canadian history in another venue until the KBE becomes virtual.
What is being birthed by three Indigenous knowledge keepers is the teaching/sharing circles that are totally led by an indigenous person. The focus is to educate we non-Indigenous allies who want to know and live the truth.
A sharing Circle session is 2 hours by Zoom and consists of a land acknowledgement and tobacco presentation by an ally, and then the Indigenous leader does the rest by focusing on a 20-30 minute teaching and inviting the group then to share how they feel about what was heard. Then there is a checkout and closing.
My biggest learning is to HOLD BACK and BE led as one who also needs to learn.
Does this not seem to be the journey of the ripening process as we age, hopefully gracefully, and encourage the leadership that is present among us to flourish?
-Sister Kathleen Lichti, csj