Decision Time
November 8, 2011
The past two weeks have been among the most disappointing times I have ever experienced. The previous month I’d created what I thought was a well-designed retreat with the ideas and support of four terrific healers. I’d found a peaceful and beautiful confere
nce center 20 minutes from downtown Asheville N.C., and a delicious and healthy menu with a caterer specializing in healthy vegetarian and local fare. I’d even collected free gifts to offer the people attending. Still, I knew in my heart that no gift would equal the experience of working with four of the city’s most gifted healers.
I built it, but they did not come, so now I am asking myself whether it is better to postpone the event. I have asked the healers, who I see as co-creators, how they feel and I am hearing their own ambivalence. As one healer put it, “I have been looking forward to experiencing the presentation of the other speakers and to sharing information with others. My concern is that this is a whole day event and we really don’t know how many people will be there. Is this going to set the tone you are looking for in the bigger event? Would it be better to postpone the event, market it really well and have a solid foundation from which to attract and educate people? “
Like everyone else I know, I need money to live. But, I am willing to lose money if (a) I could do some real good for someone; (b) use the experience to learn enough to build a successful program that will help people with disabilities, chronic pain, fear and stress free themselves to live their lives in a more rewarding way.
Sometimes you can’t measure your impact by the numbers but by the ability to touch single lives in a good way. Is this one of those times? I know that I have to decide by tomorrow what I am going to do, and at this moment, I’m just not sure.
