By Michael LaReau
Weeklong was a challenge! It was a challenge in the best ways though, pushing me outside of my comfort zone by challenging thought patterns and personal roadblocks that have kept me from growing into my vision for myself and how I act within the world. For most of my life I have not separated my personal life and my public life, which has often made me an ineffective operator in my own hopes and dreams. Weeklong showed me it is not fake to work with people you do not agree with on most things, but rather it is identifying mutual self-interest as a way to collaborate with others to get things done.
Additionally, having to think long and hard about my self-interests to clearly identify them was a tough task for me. I have been involved with community actions and have not felt effective. Often I would show up to give support only to feel like I was chasing my own tail. I now know I have to use the time I have to become honed in on what I truly want rather than what I believe others want of me. It has been a wonderful shift within me since leaving the training. It has made me much more focused on moving with purpose.
I was hesitant to participate in the training due to being warned of the agitation element within the curriculum, but I am thankful for the opportunity to face myself and to begin looking at how I get in my own way of becoming the leader I want to be. The agitation arises due to having to look within oneself after hearing how others perceive you. It’s often unsettling to hear others describe what you have shown them, but when done correctly the agitation can set your life on a new course and with clearer vision.
I am grateful for David Liners and Wisdom for seeing something in me and for them giving me an opportunity to grow as a leader. I am also proud of being the recipient of the Jon Stedman Scholarship. The scholarship made it possible for me to participate in a life altering week. Thanks again.