I picked up the bottle of Coke and had this
incredible urge to shake it…to shake it really hard!
incredible urge to shake it…to shake it really hard!
Just to clarify, debriefing is not removing one’s
briefs but rather releasing the emotions and stress involved in cross-cultural
experiences (and you don’t have to leave your city to have one
of these). Similar to opening the bottle of Coke after shaking it. And just
like it takes quite a bit of strength to open a very tight cap, similarly, we
need to take time and effort to specifically open up ourselves so that the
pressure can be released and we can return to normal life without the baggage
but rather with clear minds and souls filled with joy.
briefs but rather releasing the emotions and stress involved in cross-cultural
experiences (and you don’t have to leave your city to have one
of these). Similar to opening the bottle of Coke after shaking it. And just
like it takes quite a bit of strength to open a very tight cap, similarly, we
need to take time and effort to specifically open up ourselves so that the
pressure can be released and we can return to normal life without the baggage
but rather with clear minds and souls filled with joy.
This week we have been debriefing. Living in close
quarters, even with friends, wears on everyone, including us. Eating the same
foods, having an inability to connect on a deeper level than, "Hi, my name is
Ben", living out of a suitcase, seeing social problems but not having
opportunities to fix them all, feeling the rich/poor gap even with friends…
These, and many more things, are all part of the stresses that build up while on
"outreach". And so we must take time and energy to talk about the feelings we
have felt and the things seen and the relationship problems we have had and the
good things we have experienced too. Then we can move on as healthy (well,
healthier) individuals.
quarters, even with friends, wears on everyone, including us. Eating the same
foods, having an inability to connect on a deeper level than, "Hi, my name is
Ben", living out of a suitcase, seeing social problems but not having
opportunities to fix them all, feeling the rich/poor gap even with friends…
These, and many more things, are all part of the stresses that build up while on
"outreach". And so we must take time and energy to talk about the feelings we
have felt and the things seen and the relationship problems we have had and the
good things we have experienced too. Then we can move on as healthy (well,
healthier) individuals.
No, we don’t have all the answers, we are learning
too. But if you want or need some information on debriefing, need an open ear or
want to know more, just give us a call, 204-977-2950 or shoot us off an email.
We are glad to help in any way.
too. But if you want or need some information on debriefing, need an open ear or
want to know more, just give us a call, 204-977-2950 or shoot us off an email.
We are glad to help in any way.
So this week we have spent time opening the bottle
of Coke, releasing the pressure, so that what comes out will be sweet and
satisfying.
of Coke, releasing the pressure, so that what comes out will be sweet and
satisfying.
Teaching Adventures 