Finding the Courage to Show Up

Next week I will be up at a family camp in New Hampshire with no computer and no cell service.

Up until now, I've had an uneasy relationship with this particular camp, which we're attending for the third year in a row. While I love the opportunity for lots of hiking and outdoor time with my family, and hot meals cooked for us every day, this is the same camp at which, two years ago, I let a kid get washed over a dam. And last year, I was just really lonely there, pretending to want alone time, but mostly just feeling disconnected and afraid to reach out to people. Yuck.

This year I am committed to having a different experience. I want to actually show up and be me! I want to offer something of value to my fellow campers. 

My current plan is to offer a daily morning gathering for anyone who wants to attend, similar to the Alive & Connected meetups I've been facilitating. This will be a time for people to check in with themselves, shares what's on their minds, and set some positive intentions for the day. Maybe I'll offer a time for sharing and reflection at the end of the day as well.

Will anyone besides me even show up to these gatherings? Who knows. But I do know it's important that I show up, if for no other person than for myself. My hope is that the impact will go well beyond that.

I will let you know how it goes when I'm back in Internet land. In the meantime, I'm curious to hear how you relate to large-ish social gatherings. When have they felt best to you? What gifts do (or could) you bring to those groups, and how/why does it make a difference? How have you noticed other people contributing to social gatherings that you can be grateful for? Maybe you could take a couple of minutes right now to let them know you appreciate it!

I definitely appreciate you. Thank you for being part of my world, and for everything you bring to it.