Pulling Together 2011 – May 22, 2011
Here we are… carrying an old friend into the water. This is the Spirit Canoe. We will be taking her to Pulling Together 2011 held from June 30 to July 9 situated on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. The Journey is traveling from Tofino to Port Alberni with several stops in between. I feel so lucky. We took the Spirit Canoe out today to practice for the big event. We had a wonderful paddle.
What I love about the Spirit Canoe are the many lessons she teaches implicit and explicit from the paddling experience. I felt connected… reunited… with and old friend.
The Canoe is an excellent metaphor of a Professional Learning Community. The crew is made up of like-minded individuals who want to work together to achieve a common goal. We are all learners, teachers, and equal contributors. The Journey has begun.
Today, the waters were friendly, the cool breeze was welcoming, and the warm sun was reassuring. We practiced many drills and I saw the Gibsons Harbour with new eyes. We live in a beautiful community. I loved that I got a chance to paddle in the bow, work with new crew members, and take a closer look at the cabins across the water. We met new people and took a couple of girls for a quick cruise, with parental permission, of course. Our crew harmonized by the end of our mini-journey. Singing, laughing, and connecting.
The power of the canoe is mystical. I learn so much about myself and my surroundings. It is an honour to be a part of Pulling Together 2011 and the Spirit Canoe. I am grateful.