Posts tagged with "vegetarian"
I drove to Glen Prosen and it allowed me to get my head into the correct space, I had a very busy couple of weeks in the run up to coming away. How difficult it was to stay in the Knoydart space after my return last time, I wondered if this week would be any different. I was conscious that I kept drifting to Knoydart as I thought of the week ahead remembering what a fantastic experience it was, hoping the second week would be as good.
I was really looking forward to meeting everyone again, we have not been good at keeping in contact or blogging; I wondered what that was all about.
It was thinking that it would be good to experience a different location and I felt better prepared for the vegetarian experience! I knew nothing about Glen Prosen until I looked at the map for directions for the journey, I had no idea where it was. As I drove, I was aware that I was nearly there and there was no sign of any remote setting and then all of a sudden I found myself on a single track road and there was no going back! Phone signal gone, I was delighted, I hoped no one would get a signal, I didn’t want any external unwanted interuptions this week.
As I arrived at the hostel, I was conscious that I was the first to arrive. The empty social area seemed a little less roomy than last time but the bunk rooms seemed a little more spacious. One by one as people arrive it was one warm embrace after another and already the place seemed much warmer, it was as though we saw each other yesterday; how good it felt. Before I knew it I was back in the tipi and it felt good. Checking in made me feel close to the others and I got the feeling that this was going to be a good week; my thoughts of leadership and sustainability were to the fore!
The introduction kick starts the process, the communications start and then the Induction meeting happens and suddenly the story becomes real for us all and its a move into learning a new style of leadership change with an open mind. The arrival was exceptional as it was probably one of the hottest days we had…blue skies and calm seas and Knoydart in all its glory. The settling in afternoon at the Old Byre period was good and let us become accustomed to our surroundings and we were given an introduction to the format of the coming week, a welcome meal and sound nights sleep.
The morning was an introduction to the tepee and the challenge of seeking out objects that took our attention and to reflect on them from our point of view. Interesting when we started to look at Maslow’s Hierarchy and where we were fitting in. A steady climb followed in the afternoon up one of the hills, fighting with bracken and pot holes, and getting us ready for the ” solo” day we had a period of time on our own to feel what it was like. the work of a spider in weaving its web is truly amazing and one can see how it inspired Robert the Bruce..The prep talk followed that evening and all rules and safety were covered. The ” solo” is simiar to the Indian / Aboriginal passage into adult life and one which we had many years ago when you left school and entered the world of work at a very early age to work in the fields, factories or mines.
From the sounds of the deer blending with the sounds of the birds to the smell of the seaweed on the beach, my solo day saw all of my senses heightened. Sitting alone, not feeling at all lonely, on a beach at 6.30 am in the pitch dark filled me with serenity and somehow seemed to put all of the other parts of my life into perspective. I have had a whole range of emotions and thoughts today, the learning has been enlightening. It seems appropriate to be continuing the rest of the night in silence, though it does seem a little strange to be sitting alongside the others and not talking. I am now very aware of the lack of space and privacy within the old byre; it would be nice to have somewhere more private tonight. Not really too sure what I have had to eat except that it was vegetarian, am I getting to like this? The social area is very hot; I think I will need some fresh air before bedtime.
I am looking forward to being able to speak again tomorrow and sharing experiences with the others. I hope that there will be great learning from it. I wonder how the others are feeling. I am feeling great, it is good to have had something to eat and be in a warm place and in a strange sort of way I feel as though I could do it all again. Today has allowed me the space to be reflective, creative and productive. I think that there are times when if I could sit a little longer in reflection, it would allow a deeper focus on a solution. What will tomorrow bring?
What a glorious day, the clear blues skies showed Knoydart off at its best. It is great to get some quality time to get to know people and myself too! Our lecture around Maslow’s hierarchy has really got me thinking about what we really need and how much we are influenced by media, branding and peer pressure.
In this beautiful peaceful setting, where you can literally hear the leaves fall, it is easy to have ‘thinking time’ and how important it is too; I can hardly believe what has come up for me today. Time to do nothing but think, what a crucial part of life and yet one that I suspect most people don’t afford themselves. I realised a long time ago how short sighted it is not to build in the luxury of time to reflect; why in general do we not do it? Why do we often put it at the bottom of our ‘to do’ list if in fact it is there at all? Are we a nation who doesn’t appreciate the benefits of it as we bury ourselves in consumerism or are we a nation who doesn’t know how to do it? I know, and have seen, the major impact that the process of reflection has both personally and professionally on the colleagues I work with on the Flexible Route to Headship programme. I am however today also aware of the added dimension for me of that reflecting time being done in a very peaceful setting. I wonder how my colleagues would be influenced by an experience like Knoydart, what might it add to the programme?
I am remembering when as a Depute Head Teacher I gave a talk at my year group assembly about the power of reflection and suggested that we had a few minutes to reflect at the assembly. I also remember actually saying to the pupils that they probably thought I was mad, certainly that is what the look on many of their faces was telling me. I wonder if any of them remember that assembly, I wonder if it made any difference. Why don’t I know?
Enough for one night, I can hardly contain myself as time approaches for yet another vegetarian experience!
