Feeling exhilarated, bungling, practiced, ineffectual, poised, uncertain
And finally thinking I was on the cusp of moving beyond the tensions, the dualities I found inherent in the role of community leader—
One year later—perhaps a little wiser
Just a touch more widely read—
Privileged to be mentored by Sheryl and learning from her brilliant expertise and exceptional, sophisticated understanding of online communities of practice-
Engaged with two vastly different evolving PLP communities – PEARLS and Ohio Consortium-
Each unique, with its own politics, personalities, passions and focus-
Yet sharing the common ground of a exigent learning journey-
Arrogant in suggesting a year ago that the “perhaps less need for me to make those difficult choices” as the community evolved-- of what, and when and how to nudge, to cajole and to be silent—
Yet right spot on in predicting “special” learning journeys--
Finding that wayfinding, despite the markers with which Sheryl lights the way, always is infinite and never-ending—
Finding that wayfinding, always is fraught with tensions and dualities – jumping in, sitting on my hands, nudging, holding back, encouraging—
Finding that wayfinding continues to invoke inexplicable, disparate feelings – joy, insecurity, fervor, doubt, excitement, indecision, zeal, awe —
Learning, forever learning-- reveling in the messiness, the tensions, and the day to day need for nuanced silence or responses—
Now a bit more certain, in any emergent, evolving community, as a community leader, finding my way never will be less difficult or demanding, never less exciting or invigorating—
Absolutely loving the ambiguity and the complexity--
Truly hoping that each community member sees their personal wayfinding in the same light—
And is able to share, as I will, wayfinding one year hence--
