Listening - watching
taking a moment
drawing the world
finding the way to connection
again and again.

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visit my website – BarbaraBash.com

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

A Walk in the Woods

I am in Holland again for
the Authentic Leadership in Action conference.

One afternoon, after so much talking,
I need to clear my mind and feel the "more-than-human" world.

I step outside and walk into the woods . . .







But this path goes on and on. 
There is no right turn path to take me back.






Suddenly right to my side, standing in the dark woods,
I see a small herd - eight of them - all different sizes, bristled, tusked. 
I stop. They stop. We watch each other. 
After a long moment they all trot away. 
I think, "Ah - this is why I came out here. It's all worth it now! "









I ask him where the conference center is. 
He doesn't know, but tells me if I keep going I'll get to the village of Ellspeet. 
I've been walking for an hour and a half. 
I find my way to the village, comforted by the presence of houses. 
I turn down the paved road. Four teenagers on bicycles pass by and assure me
the center is two kilometers ahead. 
I begin to calm down . . . 




I step into the building. It is buzzing with activity. 
I appreciate each person in a whole new way. 






10 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed going on this adventure with you. Thanks for taking me along.
    ;--)

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  2. What an adventure bb! Thanks for "waking me up" by taking me on your walk so far away. I was feeling lazy and low and now feel refreshed and revitalized! I LOVE your blogs!!
    Love
    Evie

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  3. Wonderful, Barbara. The drawings are perfect supported by the narrative. Completely "draws" me in!

    Love,

    Paulette

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  4. Brilliant! I love the way you write about your life....

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  5. The drawings did not come through the email I received, but I saw the boar even though your text does not name them. You led yourself away from your leadership conference, found clarity with the boar, and led yourself back.

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  6. Exploring true nature guarantees some risk, it seems. From where would the growth emerge, if each walk led you only into confirmed, comfortable territory?

    A very nice report.
    Steve Woodall

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  7. :) thank you for sharing this story. I love the format. Looking forward to seeing more.

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  8. Wonderful illustration of your experience, simple yet moving.

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  9. i feel rushed right now but not so much thataI could not enjoy your adventure. It was fun and may slow me down.

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