Naps

It's almost Sunday evening. It is Sunday evening now.

I took a midday nap.

I took a nap yesterday afternoon too.

My husband asked me today if I was unwell or just tired.

I never take naps.

Well, until recently, on Mother's Day, I took a languid afternoon nap.

I'm well, and I'm tired.

Friday, we celebrated the graduation of our Place Corps Kingston Fellowship cohort. This event concluded ten months of working with a unique group of 18-21yr olds. Our program supports youth to open up to their possibilities as creative changemakers and engaged citizens while connecting them to a network of caring professionals doing good work in their places. But more than that, the program is about cultivating joy and belonging–which starts by building trusting relationships that create space for showing up authentically and valuing one another each day as one is.

These past ten months have been a tremendous journey into uncharted waters. This was a new team in a new organization, running a new learning fellowship in a new place.

Since starting Place Corps, I have begun our two fellowships sharing two metaphors with the leadership teams.

First, we are artists co-creating a living painting.

Second, we are on a discovery voyage and know where we want to go but don't know the obstacles we will face and don't have a detailed map. Our job is to navigate to our destination in uncharted waters, following our vision and mission as true north wayfinding points.

As the director, and co-founder I determined the theme and provided materials, and then we engage in active collaboration and the creative process together for the year. The hardest part I witness is for team leaders (myself included) to trust the emergent process and stay responsive to the present while holding a guiding vision that we stay true to.

These metaphors could be summarized, and next time, I can just say: Are you ready for an adventure?

Learning is an adventure. And I have learned that not everyone wants an adventure. An adventure may be as much fun as it is challenging.

When we are challenged, we exert energy, and we need rest—which I need now.

I'm a proud sea captain who has made it ashore with wobbly legs and many stories to share in due time.

I'm a proud artist who held a ceremony Friday that shared a beautiful collective work that looked like a lush perennial garden full of young, colorful plants about to bloom.

I'm also a tired woman who has discovered the love of a Sunday nap.

What do you think about naps?

More naps less aps. Want a sweatshirt to nap in? $50 w/shipping

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