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Alwye
Moderator
Member Elite
since 1999-06-16
Posts 3850
In the space between moments

0 posted 1999-11-27 09:48 PM


Last week, as part of a sophmore 'get to know each other' thing, my high school class attended a respect retreat. We were divided into thirds and each went on a different day. Before we walked into the community center which we were bussed to, many of us disliked one another and were downright nasty to each other.

As soon as we walked through the doors, we were greeted by three energetic, fun people from Youth Frontiers. They started out by having us play silly games in which we had to rely on one another in order to be successful. The day was filled with music, discussions, laughter, and fun.

The part of the day that hit me hardest was at it's close. One of the people from Youth Frontiers lit a single candle in the center of the room and instructed us (about 200 people in total) to be seated around it. He then placed some smaller candles around it and dimmed the lights. He told us to come up one by one if we wished to, light a candle, and say something about someone or something. His only rule was that it must be noble.

It took a while for the first person to finally come forward, but soon after that first girl poured her heart out to us, more and more people started to come forth. I heard stories of lost friendships, deaths of friends, and other things that broke my heart. I also heard people apologize to one another and others thank their friends and family for all they have done for them (which I myself had the courage to do). It was a truly moving experience. Many of us were in tears by the day's close.

I guess I'd like to thank Passions for everything that you guys have done for me also. I'd also like to ask if anyone has experienced something similar and ask what kind of effect it had on you.




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*Krista Knutson*

"If my heart had wings, I would fly to you and lie beside you as you dream....." ~Faith Hill: If My Heart Had Wings~



© Copyright 1999 Krista Botterill - All Rights Reserved
Jewl_24_1999
Member
since 1999-10-24
Posts 64
USA
1 posted 1999-11-29 05:45 PM


I have been out of school for awhile now, however, my senior year we went on a retreat not so different from yours. This was a time for reflection on the past year. At first, everyone wanted to go because it was a day out of school, but as the day went on we played games, laughed, and cried. I made friends with people I didn't get along with for 12 years, a lot of hearts were healed that day. It turned out to be one of my most fondest memories from school. I am so glad you had that experience to share.
Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

2 posted 1999-11-29 07:09 PM


These retreats sound like an excellent idea! I'm glad that you both got so much out of them!

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Denise


JOY 14
Senior Member
since 1999-09-22
Posts 1419
Wisconsin USA
3 posted 2000-01-21 05:57 PM


Actualy, I have never been to a retreat such as this, but now I think it would be an enjoyable experience that I would definetly take advantage of if the opportunity came along.  Thanks for sharing this.  It sounded like a really uplifting experience.

 JOY


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