Invitation into Intro and Intention

Hi all,

This year finds me back at the Summer Institute for the fifth time in six years. (I missed last year.) I started coming to the Institute in 2005 - a year, as it turns out, that was the beginning of a 5 year transition process that I have seen the conclusion of this year. I am attending with a sense of celebration around this ending and a sense of anticipation around what I have been fully stepping into over the course of this last year - personally and with my new venture: Shape Shift Strategies.

I am looking forward to reconnecting with dear friends, connecting with new ones and laying down some foundational pieces for this next 5 year period in my life. My strongest intention is around relationships and renewal and then it is around what I will learn in the module I've signed on for and in the rest of the program too.

I look forward to seeing a few posts here - inviting you to introduce yourself and put out whatever initial intentions you will be bringing with you to this amazing portal into human experience and stepping on the edge....

And I look forward to greeting the friends I've already met and the ones I'm about to. See you in a couple of weeks, Kathy

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kathy Jourdain on June 1, 2010 at 3:33pm

I have been feeling inspired by each of the posts as they have been appearing and there is this cumulative effect that has prompted me to write my appreciation and gratitude to each of you who have been contributing to and building this field. I am drawn to Qualla's response wanting to say welcome. Look for me. I will look for you. And to Thomas, much of what you have said resonates deeply in my soul and my journey. Thank you. And thank you to each responder for declaring your intention as you enter the field and as we all sit with curiousity to see how that intention shifts and changes for each of us in our individual and collective journeys. I feel the energy of this coursing in my being :-). Kathy

Permalink Reply by Jarda Dokoupil on June 1, 2010 at 4:43pm

Dear all,

thank you Kathy for creating the container for this conversation to arise in...

My name is Jarda, 29, originally Czech, currently living in London/Prague, coach, facilitator, curious human being, agent of evolution, fun guy and a big ice-hockey fan ! :) (Just spent my day in Halifax visiting Sid Crosby's exhibition...) more at www.jardadokoupil.com and when we have a chance to meet...

For me, I will be holding following questions as my intention...

- How can I fully bring my gifts to this event and learn/take the most out of every interaction?
- How can we intentionally connect initiatives and indivudals that are already making a long-term sustainable change so that we fully support the emerging picture of the new world they are building?
- How can we consistently hear, describe and make happen highest potential for our immediate futures?
- Where am I best placed as a young person seeking to spend next 30-40 yearsof my life to serving the ongoing evolution of our world so that I fully advance myself and contribute in the best way to others and the world? How can I best structure my life around this commitment? What practical opportunities are waiting for me?

This is my first time at ALIA and I am sure it will be an unforgettable experience. I am coming to play, to share, to discover, to explore, to serve, to connect, to support and to dance and create together. I am coming to learn from experiences, to contribute with mine and most importantly for me, to find meaningful connections and projects that I can engage in during the upcoming years, that will be in line with who I am as well as with what is most needed in the world today.

Looking forward to meet you all :)

Jarda

Permalink Reply by Shannon Rose Watson on June 1, 2010 at 7:54pm

Hello Alia family and new friends!

I am eagerly anticipating being with all of you. This will be my 5th Alia experience and each year it feels like I am returning to a family- one that is always expanding. My husband, Ryan, is part of the Alia staff and so for our family, this program is an integral part of our life and the excitement grows expotentially around this time of the year!

I have had a few roles over the years working in some capacity at the Institute: being in the office and welcoming, being an artist assistant to Barbara Bash, offering artwork... And every program has marked significant steps in my personal journey- the first year we were newly moved to Halifax, the second year engaged, the third year married and very pregnant, and last year I came to visit with our beautiful baby daughter.

This year, the personal change is that I am turning 40 on June 5th, the eve of the program...(so not quite 19 anymore, Qualla! ;) though I remember that age like it was yesterday) and I am still trying to wrap my head around entering this new decade!! And we have a very busy, delightful toddler who brings us so much joy. You will see me doing the dual role of Mama and participant. Katarina, our 21 month old daughter, will be on site being looked after by a close friend, Chantel. Kat will be playing with her new little international Alia friends that are coming from South Africa and Brazil ( Kat is so excited to meet them!- and as many of you as she can. Katarina is a very social girl, so please introduce yourself to her if she doesn't get to you first ;) Kat will be happy to chat with you.)

I am thrilled to be part of the Women and Leadership module. My questions revolve around the theme of how to fully embrace this stage of my life, weaving being a mama into the creative work that I feel called to offer in the world.

Safe travels everyone. I/we can't wait to see you!
Warmly,
*Shannon and Kat*