LIFE is Good 2011 was not a perfect conference. Things went wrong. Pranks were pulled. Friends' gifts to each other went missing. Another friend spent the end of the conference grieving the loss of her mother. Even so, I loved it. It made me happy. It gave me some more amazing memories to add to my burgeoning "Unschooler Love" file, and I received a good dose of inspiration and renewal. I came away smiling, energized, exhausted, and content with my life.
And then last night I got on Facebook and the LiG group, looking for photos and shared memories and more fun. I found those things. But I also found regrets and complaints and reports about even more unfortunate events that had taken place. I got rather depressed.
But driving to work today—Sitting in Traffic Meditation—something occurred to me: If every conference we attend has a theme, the theme of this one was not "A Series of Unfortunate Events" but "How Unschoolers Respond to Suffering."
Two fire alarms were pulled. We learned that false alarms cost the hotel $500 each and that Mary Gold, our beloved Conference Diva, was deeply distressed. How did the unschooling community respond? They opened their wallets and reminded each other that young people are curious and impulsive.
Some of the treats left by Fairy Godparents (secret pals) went missing. How did the unschooling community respond? They came up with replacement treats and reminded each other that people who take are needy people.
A friend received word Sunday night that her mother had died. How did the unschooling community respond? With an outpouring of love, with songs, with laughter and space for tears. It was a wake to remember.
As always LIFE is Good provided me with an opportunity to learn, to expand my horizons, to experience acceptance, and to see with better eyes. What I saw was unschoolers at their best, responding to the pain of life and the shortcomings of others with grace and generosity. That is the theme and lesson of this conference. I will carry it with me for the rest of my life.
Nosferatu
8 months ago
16 comments:
A reminder *I* always need: I have to see with better eyes.
In another quote from Abyss: Love you, wif!
I was wondering how to sift through my overwhelming feelings of gratitude and joy for the wonderful week we had with my disappointment and sympathy for those who were on the receiving end of some not-so-great things - but I'm too tired to think straight. Then came your post! Thank you for helping us navigate the jumble of emotions and with an eye on seeing the best! Sooooo great to spend time with you this week. <3
I love this. Thank you for writing it.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I love you! I was having a really hard time also. This post came just as I was needing...something.
Thank you Ronnie.
Skye
This is lovely. It has me moved to tears. Thank you this. Also? Love your blog title, and I'm noticing we have much in common. You've been added to my rss feed!
This was perfect, Ronnie. I came home with so many mixed feelings that you were able to put in a better light. I so loved spending a bit of time with you and Frank and look forward to the next....much love to you and Thank you for this post.
Thanks for writing. <3
Now that's why I love unschoolers. Thanks for this! I'll get to a conference one of these days.
This is really well said, Ronnie. I must add that I learned a lot from the way people reacted to the firealarms. People took the opportunity to talk to their kids about fire safty, respect for other people's time, and respect for other people's property.
Amen, sister! You nailed it. Thank you!
nice Ronnie! And during the meditation that I went to I managed not to think of the unfortunate events at all - so thanks for your guidance.
Otherwise I "dealt" with the events by assuming it was the grumpy, lecherous track suit guy from down the hall pulling alarms and stealing candy. He had a hate on for the kiddos. Then there were the tennis playing, 8 pm bed-timing all-stars next door.
for a first time LiG-fer it was intense and overwhelming and wonderful - a very intense last couple of days since coming home processing
meeting you was a highlight tho - so needed that hug the first day - thanks for being you :)
I'm glad most of you are in the space of being able to overlook (or look at with different eyes) these experiences. I am still very stuck in not being particularly happy about the major theft from my room, and horrible interaction with the staff regarding this.
Try though I may, and I DO appreciate your rose colored glasses. my glass is half empty....perhaps 3/4.
Grinch, now home in Canada.
I have no rose-colored glasses about the theft from your room, Shonna. That just sucks. But the unschoolers *responded* to that theft with lots of love, sympathy, and support for you and yours, and I'm determined to believe that it wasn't unschoolers who did it. The post-conference timing makes this easier to do. :)
Well said. Thank you for giving us all the opportunity to see with better eyes.
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