From our Village Toolkit: Role Taking
What Role do you Want to Play? A Hero's Journey
“Taking a role” is an epic way to be the hero in a Village Gathering. Like any hero, there is a call to service, whether that’s personal growth, getting out of your comfort zone and trying something new, or helping your community by taking an active role.
So what does it mean to “take a role”? There are several ways. The easiest way is to show up at a gathering. Wow! You’re a hero or heroine! That was easy!
Another way is to tell someone about your Village Gathering. You don’t have to be a host or anything to pass along the opportunity to gather. People who connect with others are statistically happier people, so you’re doing someone a big favor by inviting them as a visitor. Wow! You’re hosting a visitor and passing on the good vibes.
Next, muster your courage to step into “Grounding”, an official role as someone who grounds the group and let’s everyone relax into the moment and “arrive”. It’s super simple to just ask folks to slow down, notice the sensations of the chair they’re sitting in or the floor they’re standing on, or the Earth (if your group is gathering outdoors). Take a deep breath and hold it a second or two until your body tells you it’s time to exhale. Let out that breath into a nice exhale and hold the moment until your body tells you it’s time to take another breath. Notice how your body knows how to breath, all on it’s own! That’s grounding!
Another epic role is that of “Acknowledgement”. These often focus on awareness or gratitude toward people, situations, or events in the world or community. Like recognizing unseen labor, people who care for others in their family or their community. Land acknowledgments, that these were once indigenous lands on which the meeting takes place. Environmental mindfulness, recognizing that the planet’s resources are finite and provide benefit for all. Interdependence of community, the interconnectedness of everyone present, emphasizing the strength found in coming together and supporting each other’s growth and struggles. Celebrating the resilience that comes from being together in community.
These roles take very little time to prepare for, often it’s just slowing down and thinking about what is important to you, whether you discover what’s grounding for you or acknowledging something you take for granted. Wow! You’re so heroic!
Now for the really big role – the epic hero takes on the role of host. It’s scary, no doubt, like fighting a dragon or jumping into the ocean to rescue someone. But hey! There’s no bear, no one’s going to sucker-punch you or take away your birthday. This is “safe to try” and fail and laugh about it afterwards. And like learning to ride a bike, you may get some scraps and bruises to your ego, but you’re resilient and can get back on and try again. Each time you host, you learn about yourself and others, and eventually discover that people WANT you to succeed and lead them through a gathering and are grateful that you tried. Because, deep down inside, they’re probably scared to host a gathering.
And don’t worry, we have great Village Builders and Village Coaches to help you take any of these roles and show you how and support you. We really care about community but we especially care about YOU. And we want YOU to succeed! So take a step on your heroine’s or hero’s journey. Your future self will be so glad you did.
Our Past Newsletters, Looking Back
Speaking of journeys, did you know that these Village Voices are new for us? We have heroic editors working to create something we’ve never done before. And this issue is written by a new editor who hasn’t done it before, so it’s bound to be a little different. But I have a great party with me and they’re going to come along and clean up my mistakes and polish this rough issue so it’s beautiful. So here’s a look back at our previous issues and what you can find in each:
Village Voice 1: Relationships in Quality AND Quantity, meeting our needs in a diverse community. Who’s in your current social circles? Friends & family? People from work? A neighbor or two? Your pet? You might be surprised that you’re already in an enriching community. Village is another community expanding your circles!
Village Voice 2: Village Stories interviews Stephen Michael, our youngest community leader, who’s calling became his core strength: Activation. A look into a hero on his own epic journey!
Village Voice 3: Village Tools: VillageCore, Where Community Organizers go for support. Each week we host two Village Core gatherings where our Village Builders go to get help on things and answers to their questions. It’s a very supportive environment and a fun place to learn with caring heroes.
Food For Thought:
How does stepping into a role, even a small one, contribute to personal growth and the strength of a community?
What fears or hesitations do you have about taking on a leadership role, and how might embracing these challenges benefit you in the long run?
In what ways can acknowledging and appreciating the unseen efforts of others create a more connected and supportive community?
Cheers to the heros of any community! It takes role-takers of all kinds to make it work. For me, role-taking is an important part of working with ego - to do something not just to benefit yourself or to feel satisfied or appreciated... but to take a role simply because it needs to be filled.