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D. Barnes Boffey, Ed.D. and Christopher E. Overtree,
M.S.
Life Changers challenge us to reinvent the boundaries of what we expect
about ourselves, what we believe about ourselves, and what we imagine
our lives can be.
One of the claims often made by those of us in the camping world is that
by spending time at camp, children can significantly change their lives
for the better. What we generally imply is that they become more responsible,
more creative, more balanced, and more resilient in their ability to live
their lives and that they learn to integrate values and beliefs that they
may not have access to as clearly in the non-camp world. It is clear that
we provide an environment in which campers and counselors grow and change,
but it may not be as easy to define how that change takes place or how
we ensure that our environment will foster that change. Many of the situations
that change our lives are the direct result of our interactions with a
specific person or group of people who allow us to see both ourselves
and the world in different ways. In moments of personal transformation,
these people have a powerful impact on our perceptions — they believe
in our capacity to be more than we are currently being, and they expand
our perception of what is possible in our own lives and in the world.
These people are Life Changers. They nurture relationships within which
others can grow and explore, and although their personalities may be very
different, there seem to be common characteristics or attributes that
exemplify people who have such a powerful impact on our thinking.
Life Changers at Camp
Camp professionals can identify these general attributes in many of their
staff, but it is the Life Changers among them who consistently act in
a manner that significantly redefines the boundaries of our expectations.
For example, most camp counselors encourage children, providing them with
the support they need to try new challenges and to go the extra mile.
But counselors who become Life Changers surprise children with encouragement
that goes beyond what they can imagine and have previously experienced.
The significant difference in a Life Changer is that they challenge us
to reinvent the boundaries of what we expect of ourselves.
What are the fairly common expectations for many of the characteristics
that describe most caring and competent camp professionals? What are the
significantly different expectations and experiences that Life Changers
create in their relationships with others?
Love
We expect to be loved when we “behave well” or when we fulfill the expectations
placed upon us by others. Life Changers love us more than we believe we
deserve. In doing so, our own sense of worth and value is redefined, expanding
our capacity to be loving, compassionate, and self-accepting. Life Changers
love us even when we do not love ourselves.
Humor
We expect to experience humor in our lives, most often when things are
going well and the mood is light. When things are not going well, our
ability to be humorous and playful often suffers quickly and severely.
Life Changers help us find humor in situations where we would normally
succumb to worry, despair, or fear. They understand that humor is an affirmation
of the wondrous complexity of life. Life Changers teach us the power of
humor and how to appreciate the lighter side of even our darkest moments.
Forgiveness
We expect to be forgiven when we earn it by atoning for our mistakes and
admitting that we are wrong. Sometimes we have thoughts or actions that
we believe are so egregious, that we hide them to avoid judgment. Life
Changers teach us to forgive ourselves for things we imagine to be unforgivable.
They are never concerned with blame and shame, but only in how we convert
our mistakes into opportunities for growth. A Life Changer understands
that consequences may be reasonable, but forgiveness is magical.
Honesty
We expect people to be honest with us, except when they fear hurting our
feelings or fear their own severe embarrassment. We come to understand
that consistent honesty can be difficult to give and is often compromised
when it leads to personal vulnerability. Life Changers tell us the truth
when others will not. In doing so, they are able to combine honesty with
love. For Life Changers, uncomfortable feedback is always coupled with
a sincere offer of help. Life Changers understand that simply telling
the truth is a courageous act.
Humility
We expect that people will respond with humility when they have been humbled
or even humiliated. Experience teaches us, however, that humility often
departs when the remembrance of imperfections grows more distant. Life
Changers constantly acknowledge their own imperfections — they are comfortable
with their mistakes. They teach with a gentleness that comes from self-acceptance.
Life Changers share both their victories and defeats, encouraging us to
use their experiences as lessons in our own lives.
Encouragement
We expect encouragement when others believe that what we are attempting
is a worthwhile endeavor or when it is obvious that there is a chance
of success. Most people look at our actions and encourage us in our “doing.”
Life Changers see beyond our actions and encourage us in our “being.”
Life Changers always believe in us more than we believe in ourselves;
they believe in us when our own confidence has been shaken. Life Changers
help us to nurture our dreams — even before we are ready to accept the
possibility of achieving them.
Generosity
We expect generosity when we have earned it and from those who can afford
to be generous. We understand generosity most when it does not appear
to exceed what a person is able to give without experiencing undue hardship.
Life Changers generously and repeatedly give of themselves, their resources,
and their time without obligation or expectation. For Life Changers, service
to others is a guiding principle. They are generous beyond what we expect
or can even understand.
Integrity
We expect others to behave with integrity, but we also understand that
their willingness to maintain integrity will be weighed against the often
harsh consequences of living truthfully. Experience teaches us that integrity
may be compromised for convenience or to avoid unpleasant consequences.
Life Changers exemplify in their own behavior a level of integrity, congruency,
and constancy that shatters our preconceptions and excuses. Life Changers
teach us by simply being who they are, accepting who they are, and demonstrating
the qualities they challenge us to embody.
Fostering Life Changers
If our goal as a camp community is to create significant change in the
lives of children, then we will need to spend our time helping staff to
become Life Changers — to become counselors who will go beyond their own
limitations and open themselves to the possibility of a new found personal
strength and ability to be of service to children and adults. As directors
and camp leaders, perhaps the greatest tool in this training is modeling
this concept for others. The greatest tribute we can pay to those who
have helped shape our lives is to challenge our own fears and expectations
— to adopt a way of living that will help others see new possibilities
and new horizons.
Originally published in the 2002 September/October
issue of Camping Magazine. |
