Terry asked us today to think of things we've packed and things we need to unpack while here at this experience. Things that I had packed included willingness, openness, a "trust-me attitude" and obedience. Yet there were also things I needed to unpack. My fear. My doubts. My insecurities. My expectations.
A long day lies ahead. Filled with some physical pain, emotional breakdowns, and leadership struggles.
"Wear active clothes" is our only direction for what the day was to bring. We arrive at a retreat center where there is a leader waiting to guide us through numerous team-building activities.
1. Group blind-folded tour- Nine interns in a single line holding a single rope with one hand. They choose a person to lead the group. It's me. As I'm being guided by the director, I'm also leading the eight people behind me. I duck. I walk over things. I go from side to side. We fall. We get back up. I try to pull my group along, but have to remember that as a leader, I can't get too ahead of the pack.
2. Lava/Carpet Square Test- A difficult feat for each of us. Having to rely on a teammate that you barely know is not ideal. Having patience when someone on your team is struggling is also something that was a challenge. Overall message was to allow others to grow into their leadership roles without taking charge.
3. The Wall of Webs- Being mute was tough since I had already experienced the task. But relying/trusting in my team was much more important.
4. Partner blind-fold test- This was probably my least favorite. My low trust level had me being overly cautious of what was around me. It didn't help that certain pastors were using a stick to tease with my mind and get me distracted. Putting my full trust in Karli was not easy, especially after falling down during the group tour.
5. High Ropes Course/Zip-line/Tree Climbing- Communication, especially to someone who's blindfolded, is extremely difficult. When giving direction, I need to be exact, just as I would want it. Experiencing the high ropes & zip line was rather exhausting, yet exhilarating. I was excited when I accomplished each one, which was much easier when being cheered on/encouraged. For the tree climbing, I wanted to give up so badly. My arms hurt. I couldn't feel my legs. But I didn't was to fail and be the only one to not ring the bell.
A long and exhausting 6 hours of team-building activities. They frustrated us. Challenged us. Tested our strength, patience, endurance and leadership skills. Showed who we really were at times and how to best work with one another to accomplish a certain task. It brought the group closer than we could've imagined. And with a physically draining day, it was about to get even more tough for some...
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