Energy, Or Lack Thereof

Energy is key.

A good retreat leader has an eye for energy levels. It isn't that high energy is better or worse, it depends on the context. Some activities lend themselves to higher energy, while others are better suited for calmer moods. The savvy retreat leader is one who can get their group to each activity with the right amount of energy.

Generally, if you need to take a group down a few energy levels, writing, drawing, or other reflective activities will serve you well. For ratcheting people up, there are activities called energizers. At their core, energizers amplify moods. They usually accomplish this by absurdity. As such, I have a talent for energizers. I can usually manage to calm a group (with the help of candles and Enya), but turning the volume up is far more natural for me. While I have many years of retreat leading experiences, being absurd is far more practiced.

This particular retreat, however, posed an interesting challenge. Usually, a moderate or flagging group needs one or two solid energizers to get the buzz going. This time, we run a high energy activity (called Smaug's Jewels, tons of fun), and everyone crashed (see next post).

Sometimes energy levels are related to mood, and as such can be altered through engagement. Other times, energy levels are related to the physical conditions of the body. While retreat goers often operate with little sleep, our retreat also had limited water and food in addition to the risks of exposure.

I don't often think about it this way, but mood has caloric, nutritional, and chemical components. The take away for retreat leaders is that well-fed participants are easier to get worked up than poorly fed ones. The more general take away is this:
how we feel is more than a reaction of what happens to us, it is also action within us. Be hesitant to judge the attitudes of those who live on diets and in conditions harsher than your own.

How we feel is not always rational, but it is always connected to rations.