This comment from Jennifer Schongalla was supposed to go under the Last Sunday Night article but it got blocked by that security rule (503) so I will post it here as a separate article. I welcome what jen says below with arms and heart wide open in deep appreciation on this very last day that I will ever walk out of a school building as a teacher:
Ben,
I have no words that have not already been said to you, about you. I am so deeply grateful for your big open heart and your unfailing courage and determination that led you to create this space for all of us to expand into our joyous teaching selves.
It was no accident, of course, that I stumbled upon this website three years ago in complete desperation, looking to get through to the end of the year. It took reading only one post to feel viscerally the “aha” of recognition and validation of myself and the many years I spent feeling like a fraud. There were words put to my feelings and suddenly I was not alone thinking I was crazy and “everyone else” had some magic formula for success.
I wish I could remember exactly whose words they were that gave me courage to write in. I suppose that does not matter since all words arise from the same source. But I wrote and received such an heartfelt encouraging immediate response. I knew I had found my tribe, that I now refer to alternately as “my badass renegade language posse” and “my people.”
Thank you for your infectious passion, for always questioning assumptions, for always putting the heart connection front and center, for your laser vision that cuts through all the BS layers that we all get fascinated with if we are not aware. Thank you for bringing us all together to do this work of transformation and deep healing. I know that sounds maybe a bit hyperbolic, but that is how I feel about what we do. It is not really about the languages (although it is…) but about the deeper connections we uncover.
I am currently reading this book by Bill Pfeiffer called “Wild Earth, Wild Soul.” In the beginning of the book there is a list of “useful ways…to nurture the growth and flourishing of others.” It is nothing new to us, and at the same time I found it exhilarating to read and affirming of what we do.
It reminded me so much of you:
*Look for the best in everyone
*Demonstrate open-mindedness and open-heartedness
*Notice how each person has a unique contribution to make
*Think about each individual
*Remain flexible; be willing to change an activity if you sense it would serve the group better
* Let go of any expectations that people will react a certain way to a process or even that they will enjoy it
*Encourage and validate authentic expression of feelings, even if someone expresses anger or sorrow when others are happy
*Don’t isolate yourself in a role of ongoing solo leadership
*Forgive yourself when you make “mistakes.” They are part of the learning process.
*Respect peoples’ defenses and resistance.
*Do your own inner work.
Thank you Ben. I look forward to continuing this work together in whatever form that takes.
<3