“You never know, until you try.”

“Trust your gut…”

“Take a chance.”

“Try something new, and or different.” and my saying, “Live for the Surprises.”

These sayings and those similar stay with me. And the more I’ve practiced my courageous in life the older I’ve gotten, the heavier I’ve leaned into it. You could say, rarely do I feel regret, from trying, versus, not trying at all.

Last week, as part of a summer program with high school youth, one that this year is my 5th in a row, we were spending our day together in Chicago before heading back home.

Given the various conversations I’ve been having with different students and my own previous experiences being part of and leading groups, I had this idea, yet part of me was nervous as to what this would mean.

I decided the first step was to see how my colleagues felt about it and if they supported it, we’d push on. Turns out, they did, in fact, they thought it would be a great idea.

With that we procceded.

The setup was…well setup. After our final outing together, exploring the sights and sounds Chicago had to offer, we returned back to the hotel, for a night of relaxing by the pool for the students with their peers, and packing. But before that, we were going to put to test, put into motion and experience my idea.

That idea, was to bring everyone together for one final reflection, to create a safe space in the environment we have enjoyed the past few days on this field trip, on the rooftop overlooking the architecture of the city.

Where this came from? As with anything special or meaningful, the more I felt the days and time counting down of us being together, the more I felt inside, bittersweet. I realized after being this program for four summers, like any program, like this, though we say we want to see each other, what ends up happening is we don’t. It’s nobody’s fault or wrong doing, it’s just life and part of the growing process. We create something, hopefully beautiful together, and then eventually have to say goodbye and learn to let it go. So we can create new opportunities and experiences.

I didn’t want this group, to leave without knowing how special they are. As individuals but also as a whole, for each other.

In the past week, I’ve heard stories from the kids about their fears, what brings them joy, and what they are both excited for and confused about for the upcoming year, maybe even after high school is done. I even heard their personal situations, at home, not feeling the support that they need. I just knew…here I go, in my gut, how valuable it would be for them to get the opportunity to hear from others or maybe have the floor to share what’s on their heart. I wanted to have a space for them to remember this moment with their peers, advisors, what it feels and looks like to have a community, a support system, people in their lives who love and respect them, for simply being who they are, whoever they are.

For the adult colleagues, I wanted them, us, to remember this time together as well. I wanted them to know that werever they are in their life’s journey, this moment is special. All their hardwork and effort was not taking without consideration for who they are and how they are showing up for these kids, for their colleagues, and for themselves. I wanted them to hold space, in their power, helping demonstrate for these young people, your feelings, your truth, whatever it is right now is valuable and important.

I wanted this but I wasn’t sure how it would turn out and unfold.

You never know until you try. You never know until you know.

It was amazing. Of course, like I get, I was nervous to kick things off, and I knew I could do it, I had to. I knew as someone who believes in this work, I had to believe in myself to set the tone, to help demonstrate what we were doing together.

I trusted the process and I trusted in everybody else…

One by one we shared and listened. This not being my first “rodeo”, I did have a few items prepared:

1) My squishable sushi so people had comfort in holding something soft in their hands. Check.

2) Box of tissues. I wasn’t sure but maybe I was giving myself the persmission, and sure enough we had a need for them. Check.

I won’t share the details, but by the time we concluded, their were plenty of tears, laughter, hugs going around. I felt proud. Seeing the openess, the vulnerability, everybody’s truth made available in such powerful ways. I’ve never had so many hugs from kids who I think normally wouldn’t feel comfortable hugging adults. Like one of the advisors shared, “This moment will forever be in our hearts.” Boom! Damn, this along is why I do this, this is why I love finding ways to do it even better.

I guess, it’s worth always trying something new, something different, because you never know.

Thank you to everybody who was willing to try.

I sat down with hosts Tina Schuricht, ACC and Yifat Rogers PhD, PMP from Success Your Own Way Podcast to have a conversation about the journey to finding safe spaces and healing within and now what it means to create it for others!

Maybe you feel stuck, unmotivated, or you've been looking for resources, pointers, some perspective on making a shift in your personal or career life check this and other episodes out.

If you want to listen to the episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2468012/episodes/19564281