Strengths, Affirmations & Experiences

Everyone has STRENGTHS though we don't always know them or acknowledge them. This week DARE to AFFIRM spent an outstanding, thoughtful and FUN day with the staff from the Early Head Start program at Children's Hospital, Philadelphia. Everything we thought about brought us back to the focus of the Dance of Relationships. In the center of this collage are colorful bags. We call these affirmation bags. Rather than ask a person to introduce herself by name and where she works, we choose to take a different approach. Everyone is asked to choose a bag and draw some pictures that represent things about themselves and their lives. Then on the other side, they are asked to write at least three strengths that they bring to work with them and use in their daily lives. Their introduction shares one thing about themselves and a strength. It is the beginning of the day's journey of self-discovery. There are more discussions about strengths and then an unusual task. There are bags and baskets of beads - wooden, foam, plastic of every color. There are also brightly colored shoe laces. The task: make a Life Necklace with the beads that shares your story about where your strengths come from. This group was thoughtful, open and honest. Strengths came from within, family, church, God, nature, the deaths of loved one or other life experiences. No two stories were the same. Many commented that they learned more about their friends and colleagues than they had every known by "being busy" at work and passing in the hall. It was time to stop, be still, reflect and open up communications.
One lesson learned: what was begun today must be taken back to the program. It is up to no one person to carry this forward, but it is the responsibility of a group of unique individuals to be receptive to each other - strengths, challenges and gifts. We know that everyone has caught each other doing something right, and the affirmations will continue as they are guided to strengthen the program.