Is Facilitating My New Career?
Is It Enough to Be a Helper?
Estimated reading time: 1 minute, 34 seconds
When I am out to dinner with friends, I often wait patiently for someone to tell me my bill share.
Usually, they provide an amount, including a tip, but sometimes, they do not.
“Don’t worry, we can cover the meal,” is the response when I am not asked to pay.
Objecting is often too late, but I still question the decision.
“You facilitated our being together, and that is enough,” is the response.
Have I become someone whose value is making something more manageable or helping it along?
Is my skill set limited to moderating a discussion?
If that is what I am today, it may be because that is what I have done all of my work and personal life and what Jan’s transformative love helped me become a better person.
The best option might be to accept me as I am and not as I might fantasize about my role in life.
As I returned home with aching and tired feet, I halted my walk to chat with a neighbor.
Without thinking, I found myself quickly connecting them to other resources.
I laughed as I explained that many people think I am only good at being a facilitator.
Whatever you call it, you do it very well,” they said.
Thanks, I said as I turned toward home.
“Of course, it does begin with the “F” word…”
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No one reads my words, and few, if any, comment on my bookshelf.
But I find myself asked to facilitate more groups and thanked for only doing what any of us would do to help each other manage our grief.
Yet, I hear more people say they listen to my words because I speak with clarity and transparency. Is there any other way that any of us should talk?
