"Do it afraid... but do it."
by Karabi Achayra ~ Washington, DC~ GLP Graduate
I was so sorry to learn of Deborah's passing. I took Learning to Listen, Learning to Teach co-taught by Deborah and Valerie Uccellani (can't imagine a better team!). She taught me a great deal in that week, only some of which had to do with Dialogue Education (DE).
Throughout that week, she gave such attention to making the room beautiful, which I must confess I intially felt was not very necessary. But over the week, I realized it made me feel relaxed and truly "invited to learn." She was so vivacious and full of energy that I was stunned to learn mid-week that she was struggling with cancer. Later when talking with a group of us about some DE principles that we felt uncomfortable implementing, she said to us "Do it afraid... but do it."
That phrase was an epiphany for me both personally and professionally. I try very hard to no longer wait to be fully within my comfort zone before doing something. That phrase has taken me to include more "affective" elements in my training to going on the HUGE water slide with my daughter. I knew her for four days but in a moment, her phrase and the way she lived it has enriched my life forever.
Thank you Deborah!
