Sunday, January 28, 2018

FWIW: my thoughts...

No doubt, the readership of my blog is well aware of the s-storm that has enveloped East Lansing, specifically Michigan State University. ...and it turns out a few of you are curious to know my thoughts. ...and, if there was ever a more difficult thing to put into a coherent chain of words, it is this.

However, what I have settled upon in reflection and prayer and conversation was articulated by my friend, mentor, colleague, and Spartan 3x over + a 20-year career at MSU, Dr. Karen Waite:

When an institution attempts to protect both the abused and the accused, they lose.

There is no need to add words to this. She encapsulated our crisis perfectly. However, I think it is quite important to note that simply because Michigan State is in the spotlight right now, we would be naive to think this line of thinking and mode of operating is isolated to this one institution. This is pervasive. This is likely happening on every campus, even your beloved institution.

For me, the question that has started to emerge is that of justice. I have for too long thought that if I was concerned with my own life, kept my nose clean, did the right things, then I had done what I could do. But, the stirring that I am noting is that for change to truly come about, it is necessary to speak Truth to power.

The injustice we are observing is because there has been a lack of Truth checking power. The injustice we are observing is because we have tried to walk a line protecting both the abused and the accused. While sitting in Mass today, it became very clear to me that the abused are the oppressed. Of all our charges as people of God, whether in the Old or New Testament, the charge is to protect the oppressed. To be a voice for the voiceless, to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.

If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.

For me, the call today is to be mindful of the oppressed. To be on the lookout to relieve oppression in this world. It does not have to be a grand gesture or a mighty act, but simply to use my voice to speak up for those who are afraid, who cannot, who are minimized, who are at-risk. ...to speak truth to power. to walk humbly with God.

 The Prayer of St. Francis:
Lord make me an instrument of your peace
Where there is hatred let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
And where there is sadness, joy
O divine master grant that I may
not so much seek to be consoled as to console
to be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love
For it is in giving that we receive
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it's in dying that we are born to eternal life
Amen


Also, this has been ruminating: when you wonder why now; why so many...this is the moment of speaking truth to power. It took an entire movement of women for anyone to listen. Individual victims had come forward and the system in place favored the abuser - it is so easy to be duped by power. We want to trust people that we hired; we want to trust people we admire; we want to trust that people are not doing that - we can miss the facts, gloss them over, find a justification. But, unfortunately, we silence the voice of the victim. Think about what this communicates to the victim. They are simply not worth as much as this other person. Their pain is not as important as this one's potential.  and passively, we communicate to them they should quell their stories...and then it takes a few brave souls to refuse to be silenced to embolden the others.


To my fellow Spartans - whether students or staff, alumni or administrators - we are our way forward. We are the path that will lead us toward reconciliation, hope, and a future. and, as we know, Spartans will. 

Friday, January 19, 2018

Strengths! Excitement!

It's been a while since I posted, and while there are things that weigh on my heart, I don't always want to write about heavy stuff. In that vein, I want to share with you something I am REALLY EXCITED about: Strengths Coach training.

In 8 days, I will be boarding a plane for sunny Irvine, California to spend some time healing in the sunshine at my favorite place of respite & repose: Casa de Colando - while simultaneously having my cup filled and mind sharpened through Gallup Strengths coaching seminar.

I. AM. SO. EXCITED.

I love trainings.

I love them.

Well, should I say that I love trainings where you are actually being trained to do something? Because that's what I mean. I'm not talking about a seminar in the guise of a training. Trainings that are for your professional development that feeds your personal growth.

and I haven't been to one in years.

I AM SO EXCITED.


I have been a BIG FAN of the Gallup/Clifton Strengths since I was introduced to them in 2007. (How is that eleven years ago? Ridiculous) My friend Stephanie who is also a lover of all things "type" introduced us. Reading my insight report of my top 5 was an awakening.

Discovering my top 5 strengths both then and now are incredible doses of validation. I struggle with knowing my purpose and feeling like I'm living my calling and up to my highest potential. I question whether or not I have settled with a position. I want to hear the voice saying, "This is the way walk in it" - and I crave a confirmation that I am on the right path.

While my top 5 haven't actually answered those questions directly, they are a confirmation that I am on the right path...that I'm making progress toward the goal...and most importantly, that I am valued. My strengths matter. My talents matter. I matter. I was made in a fearfully and wonderfully way with a unique combination of talents and abilities to be strengthened, developed, and put to good use.

I don't know about you, but I need this reminder.

My first set of 5 were Individualization, Ideation, Adapatability, Positivity & WOO. They explained to me why I loved my job...and also what frustrated me in my position. My new 5 are Communication, Context, Adapatability, Connectedness and Ideation. Communication is the only one I haven't had on a score before, but man-oh-man, does it hit the mark:


Communication

People who are especially talented in the Communication theme generally find it easy to put their thoughts into words. They are good conversationalists and presenters.

YOUR PERSONALIZED STRENGTHS INSIGHTS
What makes you stand out?
It’s very likely that you are sometimes open and honest about who you are, what you have done, what you can do, and what you cannot do. Maybe your straightforward explanations and stories help listeners see you as you see yourself. You might reveal your strengths and limitations. You might choose to be forthright and plainspoken. This partially explains why various people seek your company and want to work with you. Perhaps your words and examples move them to action.

Instinctively, you welcome opportunities to exchange new theories, innovative thoughts, and intriguing concepts. (YES!) Others’ original thinking probably stimulates your creativity. (YES!) Chances are good that you feel forlorn (if ever there was a word to describe the pit of feelings plaguing me this week, especially yesterday, it is forlorn) — that is, miserable or deprived — when you are separated from someone who is dear to you. (SO MUCH YES!) You yearn to spend time with your friends. Their absence saddens you.

Driven by your talents, you live your life at center stage. (sort of yes) It is risky at times. However, it is the only way you will ever know how much people appreciate and love you. (but also yes) Being a person of prominence and achievement comes naturally to you. You easily capture the attention of others. You sense that you are most alive when you hear thunderous applause or receive accolades from those who realize you are important. (I do like recognition) By nature, you typically fill your time with reading when friends or special support groups are far away. (truer.words) You peruse — that is, studiously examine — fiction or nonfiction, newspaper accounts, correspondence, magazine articles, or research papers. This helps you forget the loneliness you can feel. In the process of pulling together insights or information (i love pulling together insights and information), you broaden your knowledge base.