Age Group Leader
In July of 2013, I went to SUUSI, a large Unitarian / Universlaist retreat where I was on youth staff for a second year. I have helped out with children's programs for over twenty years starting with Siddha Yoga Meditation programs when my kids were kids. Throughout that time I was almost always an assistant which was just fine with me as the leaders generally worked with children professionally (often elementary school teachers) and so had wonderful techniques as well a phenomenal attitude. In particular I held Lokanoth, Mudrah and Denise in awe. They had such love, respect and compassion for the kids as well as techniques which seemed magical to me. I aspired to develop their wonderful attitude but never expected to master the techniques. However, Unitarian / Universalist (UU) programs are often blessed with very successful children's programs. Many times new parents who are estranged from the religion of their childhood want to introduce their children to religion and choose Unitarian / Universalism, a completely inoffensive choice. Of course I wonder how successful a religion can be if based on being inoffensive. While UU claims to be a religion of shared values rather than shared beliefs, which sounds good on paper, it is really hard to actually do as the important choices we make in life depend on our beliefs as well as our values. In any case, SUUSI needs a large staff for their youth program, but they also have a hard time getting a full staff (as all are volunteers, only getting a discount on their room and board for their participation). So, shortly after I was accepted on staff for 2013, I was asked if I would be an Age Group Leader. While that stressed me, it was well out of my comfort zone, I really had to accept as service (seva) is one of my main spiritual practices. As such, I don't serve for my own benefit or enjoyment but because it is my dharma or duty, actions done for selfless purposes. How could I reject a legitimate need because of my relatively minor discomfort? On that basis I agreed to be an Age Group Leader (but was stressed, of course). One of my concerns was that my asistants might be teens who were more interested in playing than in helping the kids (something I had seen last year when I was an assistant), but it turned out I had a couple of great assistants who took their position seriously. Further, I got a great set of kids none of whom really needed a lot of attention (that can make the job much harder). Further I was able to maintain the love, respect and compassion that I aspired to throughout the week. I also practiced a few of the techniques I had seen and they worked magically. It was a most rewarding experience and I am feeling more confident. I am looking forward to other experiences as an Age Group Leader at future SUUSIs and am comfortable that I can handle more needy children along with less professional assistants if that is what arises (though that would certainly get me out of my comfort zone again, but that is good too). Click here to see the next rambling tale.This page was last updated on August 16, 2013