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Courage & Renewal in New Zealand

2/9/2015

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Today – September 1st – which in New Zealand is the first day of Spring, seems the perfect occasion to announce that the seeds of Courage & Renewal work in New Zealand have made important new growth.  Rodger Spiller and I, with mentor Rick Jackson alongside, have led two wonderful retreats over two weekends – Courage to Teach and Courage to Lead.  I'm in awe of the transformative power of poems, of the way our participants were so ready to engage deeply with this work, and of the personal insights that emerged from our Circles of Trust.  I feel heartfelt gratitude to the poets and writers for the gifts they so generously offer the world. 

While on retreat over dinner one evening, I mentioned my quest to build my library of NZ poems, and Lesley, a school counsellor, offered her favourite – the poem she keeps at hand to help sustain her in her daily work.   It is too good to keep to myself …….
The Bridge
 
There are times in life
when we are called to be bridges,
not a great monument spanning a distance
and carrying loads of heavy traffic
but a simple bridge
to help one person from here to there
over some difficulty
such as pain, fear, grief, loneliness,
a bridge which opens the way
for ongoing journey.

 When I become a bridge for another,
I bring upon myself a blessing, for I escape
from the small prison of self
and exist for a wider world,
breaking out to be a larger being
who can enter another’s pain
and rejoice in another’s triumph.

I know of only one greater blessing
in this life, and that is
to allow someone else
to be a bridge for me.

                                                Joy Cowley

This reflection is written by Joy Cowley, a prolific and much loved NZ author of books for children and young people.  It is from her book, Aotearoa Psalms, published by Pleroma, Higginson St, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. The book includes lush illustrations by photographer, Terry Coles, who is Joy’s husband. The email address is: order@pleroma,org.nz. It is also available on http://amazon.com
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    Mennie Scapens

    Mennie designs and leads leadership development programs, teacher renewal retreats, and programs for personal and professional development.  She is passionate about helping people uncover and grow their unique talents and dreams, and discovering personal pathways to living and leading authentic lives.  

    She is a facilitator prepared by the Center for Courage & Renewal. 

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Mennie Scapens M.Ed
Courage & Renewal Facilitator
Phone 07 552 6581
Mobile 027 686 7449
Email  scapens@xtra.co.nz


What participants have to say:

"Taking the time out of the busy rush of university life to really reconnect with my inner self was definitely invaluable! I had forgotten to really take a step back to re-evaluate my personal goals and see whether they align with my values."
   - Merit Scholar, Macquarie 
           University, Sydney.


"I particularly liked the idea of the trust circle, in which silence wasn't awkward, but was mostly a way to reflect upon what others told. The atmosphere was very soothing, relaxed and ideal for inner thinking and reflection." 
  - Merit Scholar, Macquarie 
           University, Sydney.


"The concept of silence as a valued member of the group provides a new framework to connect and relate to others, in a more responsive way rather than a reactive way."
 - Counsellor, Tauranga.