Gathering in a circle on a Friday afternoon, we begin a “checking in” where everyone in Company gives a quick snapshot of what is going on in their world – short simple and unfiltered. We work to not apologize. We work to not diminish. We work to not minimize. We don’t “feel happy.” We “ARE happy.” We present ourselves in big bold colors; we do not use pastels. We don’t worry about being interesting or novel or entertaining each other. If we are stuck, we own it.
But this Friday – it was a SHARING unlike many others. Everyone was just so full of life’s ups and downs: illness, death, stress, anxiety, difficulties with parents, friends and on and on. There was many tears said and some anger words popping to the surface. The point of this “checking in” in class, of course, is not therapeutic. I simply use it as a way of acknowledging where everyone is at and getting comfortable being honest in front of each other.
I was just struck by how much STUFF a teenager has to deal with. . . Sometimes it is amazing that they can stay on top of any of their studies when life is percolating so hot for them. I do think the “checking in” helps. We were able to return our work carrying less baggage. The rest of the class seemed much lighter.