Emory Mort+Next Step - Emerging Leader Labs

having a rich and varied experience here and in my whole life leading up to this

overcoming struggles and for the times of enjoyment

stepping into my own path... especially in the recent years...

breaking free of other pressures and influences

exploring and expanding what I thought I was

making lots of good jokes

bringing humor to "de-ice" myself

being with the fact that I feel broken and shattered in a lot of ways... and not pretending that I'm put together...

letting latent interests emerge and be explored

reconnecting with practical skills and the earth

juggling a lot of balls at once... and being a pretty good juggler

going deep and attempting to access real, soulful meaning in my life... whole-heartedly but not obsessively

attempting to make things rather than fight against things... nourish instead of becoming embittered or undiscerningly polyanna-ish

working with people in various realms: gameshifting, fixing up the workspace, communications, projects

feeling part of a community in a different way than I ever have

offering the imagination presentations

for accepting coaching and feedback

standing for what's going on here when presenting it to others

hosting Connor

bringing things into the space

for being generous with this group in ways I've never been before

bringing and expressing my enthusiasm

for showing up like a grown up, and then becoming more than "a grown up" and restoring playfulness

letting magic be a major part of your life

making friends with your demons

Ruben: making me feel so welcome and comfortable at your house

Pri: for being my ambassador to Chatham, meeting me at the train, welcoming arrival, tour, parents home, etc.

for staying with yourself with you feel fine or not so fine... to have your full experience

for being someone who is committing to himself no matter what

for not being prejudiced in the kitchen... exploring, playful and open

getting a reusable cup, and using it

being a bridge to local resources

setting up and doing the radio interview

for bringing visitors and sharing with community and brothers

for being a seeker (and for finding us... and sharing the knowledge you've found in your seeking)

- like casting the I Ching at the beginning of the labs

for spending the most time away, and yet for being the first/last, your leavetakings and rejoinings (rejoinders?)

for all the driving you've done... for all of us

Ben: for calling me into authenticity and embodiment

Kyle: for your "clever damage control" and making things easier

the work you're doing integrating your hard & soft (especially with family)

for making Mickki cry with your application (when she was reading it to Eric and I on the drive up from Asheville.) I'm sorry. I love you. Please forgive me. Thank you.

for sharing your gifts and intentions authentically... and dancing with what was needed...

going with the flow, and trusting yourself

for your bruschetta!

your leadership is accessible

Connor: the multi-dimensional you -- when I arrived I felt we were already friends, and in leaving... that our infinite friendship will continue on other planes

for our relationship of great magnitude and cosmic wonder

for practicing calling yourself out...