Margie Ferrao
This piece was beautifully spoken and expressed in sign language, by Margie, at the conclusion of the 2009-2010 Supervised Retreat Leadership Training.
by Margie Ferrao
What have I learned from these past four months?
I have learned I can risk and trust that only learning will come from it. I have learned that community is important to me. I have learned that with the support of the community, I can do anything.
As a leader I learned that I can step back, hold space, support and trust my instincts. I learned there is always so much more to learn.
My growing edge is to hold space without fixing. My mother energy wants to make it all better. I need to learn to ask more questions, be more curious.
There is a saying around here that if one or two people tell you you have a tail it may be projection. If a bunch of people tell you you have a tail you need to turn around and look at it. So, after last night’s feedback I turned around and saw this huge tail. I have a tail and I would like to celebrate it. Let me describe it to you.
I have a huge heart and capacity to love. Many people trust me. My ability to stay is strong. I show up in my truth, my own vulnerability. I touch people and leave them feeling loved. All this helps me to be a better leader.
So I swing this tail in celebration and hope not to get it caught in the door on the way out!
And as I step into my huge dream of bringing this process to the Deaf Community it does feel enormous. Alone I find I am too small. How can I take this on? Who am I to be able to do such a grand thing in life? Then I look at my support system. You are all there! Many of you have approached me over the past couple of years offering assistance with grace. I do need it!
I am asking that you brainstorm with me. Step outside the Shalom mat trip box and picture a world with no hearing. Which of our processes would work (i.e., beholding, bicycle chains)? Which would not (blindfolds, guided meditation)? I need to develop new methods to do this work with the Deaf Community.
Please contact me with any ideas you may have, any thoughts on exercises or support in the form of encouraging words of wisdom. It is all helpful. My biggest learning is that I cannot do this alone but with you at my back I can do ANYTHING!
In love over and over again,
Margie Ferrao
mmfram @aol.com
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Margie has a certificate in Deaf Studies and another in American Sign Language Interpreting. She is a candidate for National Certification as an Interpreter for the Deaf. For the past 8 years Margie has been providing supported employment services to individuals who are Deaf and hard of hearing, assisting them in finding and maintaining employment in New Jersey. Margie’s dream is to bring the healing power of the Shalom Process to that beloved community.
