The UK Youth have really been on the road this year, covering good lengths of the country to meet, gather and share good times whilst keeping a strong spiritual focus. Our aim this year was to create a feeling of unity amongst ourselves, despite being dotted around in different parts of the country, to get to know each other better, and to explore new ways of integrating spirituality into daily life.
Leicester
We began our road trip in February with a get-together in Leicester where we chose to experiment with a new youth program especially designed to celebrate the International year of Youth. The program was called “Spotlight Values: A Look at What Makes us Shine” and has 3 main elements to it: ‘Explore’, ‘Express’, and ‘Exchange.’
The process involves exploring our core values through discussion and reflection, finding creative ways of expressing those core values via various means, and then finally exchanging our experiences with each other face to face and on-line with the global spotlight values network.
Our morning session resulted in some deep discussions around understanding the difference between values, virtues and principles – and how they all link together inside of us. In the afternoon we enjoyed an inter-city panel discussion between members of our team who have each found their own methods of successfully bringing spirituality into their lives in an authentic, inspiring way.
Milton Keynes
In May it was time to get our walking shoes on for a fun-filled day out at the North Willen Nature Park in Milton Keynes. “Easy Nature: Walk the Talk” was the title of our one-day adventures exploring the famous Peace Pagoda and contemplative walking labyrinth to be found at this uniquely spiritual spot. Just to top it all off, we also stumbled upon a beautiful Japanese style Buddhist temple where 20 of us piled in for green tea and lessons in salutation chants to the Buddha. After charming the temple residents with our unexpected visit, we enjoyed a delicious picnic followed by lots of games, talent shows and ice cream!
Manchester
From Milton Keynes we headed for Manchester in June where ‘Mission Impossible’ become ‘Mission Incredible’ as we unpacked some of the challenges of a spiritual journey, as well as the great opportunities for learning and growth that these challenges inevitably bring. First we looked at aims and goals through listening to the experiences of 3 young people who spoke about their aim in life and how it had brought them where they are now, followed by a little presentation exploring the importance intention and motivation.
After an Indian lunch we had some fun and games in the park including a drama where we had to come up with a scenario that demonstrated what our main priority was. The day was a great success and gave us all a lot of insight and enthusiasm to keep moving forward.
Worthing
In August we joined some of our European friends for a weekend retreat at the Lighthouse Retreat Centre in Worthing. Keeping the light focus of “Being Worthy in Worthing” we enjoyed a variety of sessions looking at everything from our own journey through the cycle of time, to disaster management from a yogi perspective. It was a weekend characterised by deep conversation, sweet exchanges, light-hearted fun, and special quiet time for the self. The Worthing seaside provided the perfect place for spiritual refreshment, with a happy balance of clean sea air and nourishing good food prepared with love by the retreat centre residents.
Oxford
From Worthing a small group of us made our way back up to Oxford in September, where we hosted a residential retreat for young and emerging leaders entitled ‘Choose, Change & Be: Inspiring a New Awareness’. The retreat was designed by the core group members of the UK Youth, together with our good friends, and professional consultants, Soo Redshaw, Maxine Green, Ian Lewis and Roger Orgill.
A group of around 30 young adults from a variety of backgrounds and organisations came together to explore leadership from an ‘inside-out’ perspective, and to deepen their understanding of how self leadership and personal development are crucial ingredients of a powerful leader. The 3 days were full of rich and insightful contributions from all participants and facilitators, and we left with a strong feeling that something new and dynamic had been sparked off on the hearts of all those who attended.
Young Women of Spirit
Parallel to the ‘great UK Road Trip’ were several smaller events for young people including a series of afternoon workshops for young women. In May we took a look at how to bring newness into our lives with ‘RedesignMyself.com’, a reflective workshop facilitated by Sarah Cavanagh. Then in September Judy Johnson of Canada facilitated a workshop on ‘Living in style: A Different Perspective’ where we explored how to find ones own unique ‘soul-style’ beyond all the external expression of the self. Finally, in November, we rounded off the year with ‘Feeling Great No Matter What!’, a workshop facilitated by Rachel Priestman on how to build resilience against life’s challenges and maintain inner calm in all situations.
A great year it has been and looking forward to what lies ahead for UK Youth in 2012!
