The story...
I walked into the T-Group at a NTL Human Interaction Laboratory in Bethel, Maine. My V.P. of H.R. recommended that I attend this week-long experience that he personally found transformational. This was the first session and nobody was talking - we were all just sitting there. I guessed who the leader(s) were yet they said nothing. A few people were so uncomfortable with the silence that they spoke up, asked questions, and even tried to start their own meeting activity - the group shut each of these people down in order - the agitation, uncomfortableness, and negative group dynamic grew. It got better and better as the week progressed - for everybody.
The week was transformational for me - I left more accepting of me and more thankful for the group. We learned, experienced, and worked out being a more fully-functioning human being within community - experiencing the value of working and living together. Yes, I was a better person having experienced this Human Interaction Laboratory - I learned and grew with and through other people.
Even after all of the courses, experiences, successes and failures, I still find group dynamics challenging, rewarding, and discouraging too. Yet, friendship, working out life together, and community are worthy and seem to be a most important part of our life experience.
"We" may not be more capable in some things than "me," yet together "we" are more complete and more capable, and maybe more fulfilled. Yet, the fear of group rejection, not fitting in, still looms in the background. What if they ... The risk of group rejection reminds me of the following scene where Forest Gump defends Jenny during a Black Panther meeting - not fitting in.
The only church in town will grow people, friendships, groups and community within the Light of God's truth about who He, they, we, and I am. It'll be a great place to live, grow, and be - working out life together where really good news is heard and shared. A place where people learn to love, be loved and suffer together too - just as we were created to be?
Just for today...
"The change in me will be reflected in every person whose life touches mine." One Day at a Time (p. 278)
"I've learned to live with, put up with, and tolerate many things. I wanted to change but was afraid to try for fear of the unknown . . . I finally tore the wallpaper down." Hope for Today (p. 278)
"I realized that it was my own fear and shame, and not the embarrassing details of my problems, that kept me at a distance." Courage to Change (p. 278)
