Session 9

This session started a little bit differently than most, I felt it necessary to address the change in attitude among several in the group regarding attending Manadoob. I brought this up and asked for comments and questions from the group. L2 and S1 spoke about their homework burden and feeling they are pressed for time to keep up. K also mentioned this but unexpectedly got picked up directly following her statement. We talked for awhile about commitment and the attendance contract each of us had signed. I spoke to them of my expectations and the thought I would like them to put into their decisions in this area and of course in life. We talked about balance, using time wisely, using resources, asking for help, etc.

Once the discussion had died down we started on chapter 12. I read to them in an effort to save time and gave them some time to work on questions 1-3. The workbook asked us if we have ever felt different or odd and how that has made us feel. H3 said that he is the 4^th shortest in his class and it makes him feel really small. M shared that she is tall and she likes feeling different. Both S1 and S2 said that being different can feel both good and bad. S2 enjoys it when she gets compliments about being different and unique; she gave the example of when someone copies what you do how that is like a compliment. L1 shared that sometimes her shy quality makes her feel odd and out of place, it’s hard for her to speak out and step out of her comfort zone. She shared some advice her mother had given her: everyday is a new day and she can be a new person each day. H2 talked about being different in school and feeling really alone, she thinks of school as “a big bush with  lots of flowers and if you look closer some of the flowers are different.” She told the group that she feels out of place at school because only she and her friends live in mobile homes and are “not rich.”

When we got to the first think and do activity I felt the mood of our group change, it was silly and lighthearted. They enjoyed the break in deep thinking and took their time giggling and joking with one another about how their hands looked.

At the end of our session we picked stones and each shared which they had chosen.  They left wearing their sadiki wristbands and were excited for our next session. L2 told me as he walked out that he had changed his mind and was ready for next week. Since he had to leave we agreed to talk more about it later on.