Team Building

I am so blessed to have a great group of people to work with every day. I don't know what it is, maybe the fact that during the crazy days of the year we are together in the trenches, sharing in the tough challenges, but we are a very tight-knit group. I know that for myself, these people have been there for me through some very challenging times, when personal losses and health issues have made my dark wolf want to take over. I consider these people my tribe, and they are a big part of my wellness system.

I work at a University, in a Student Services office.  During the summer months, we have less student traffic, but we are busy with admissions, appeals, and such.  We have many deadlines to meet, so it is definitely not a laid back time of year by any means! At the end of August all of us need to regroup and reset ourselves, and get ready for what we call the rush of September, when thousands of students arrive on campus. We need to be welcoming, with smiling faces, all of our tapped out energy restored. We need to be able to help when students arrive and need a friendly and calm place to land.

So each year at the end of summer, our office plans a team building "field trip". Some way that we can have fun together, and shift gears before September begins. Nothing to do with our daily work routine. This year, we went to a local ceramics shop, called Crankpots, and spent an afternoon painting ceramics.

We drew names, and then we created projects for our person. Along with the name, we received a few colour preferences, but that was it.  At the end of it all, it was fun to guess who each finished item was for.  Amazing how well we all know one another's personal interests and tastes! 

This is the bowl that I made for my colleague.  I know that she LOVES owls, so it was an easy choice for me, and so fun to paint!

And this is the bowl that was made for me.  All my favourite colours, in the jewel tones that I am drawn to.  It is so pretty!

It was not everyone's comfort zone to be artistic, but everyone rose to the occasion!  Many commented on how "calming" the activity was...so funny to me, as I use art in my wellness practice all the time to fight anxiety, and dark thoughts. I loved getting to see some of my coworkers discover that magic for the first time.

When I taught art classes years ago, there were always people who would arrive claiming that they "were not creative". I always loved seeing these same people  transform their beliefs and get so excited when their piece would take shape.  I saw that happen this August afternoon, with some of the people that I work with. 

What a wonderful afternoon! I left feeling my heart full and inspired, and I think everyone else did too! What a great team building experience!

So bring it on, September!