September 2011 Retreat: Fishbowl Query 1

Query 1: Do you feel like you have to step outside yourself as you enter QLSP circles? Do you feel true to yourself inside of QLSP?

·         I feel that I have to be true to myself inside of QLSP or else I am not upholding the integrity of the community. There are times in which I don’t feel comfortable voicing things about my life that may not live up with Quaker values. 

·         No, I feel as if I step inside myself in hopes to stay true to myself and others in QLSP

·         In some ways I feel more true to myself by making time intentionally for silence and community. Even though I sometimes don’t feel like being spiritual when the space is provided. A good challenge.

·         Yes, but sometimes I need to intentionally emphasize certain parts of my personality to make a situation run smoothly.

·         I am a Quaker and so am most true to myself in Quaker circles, especially QLSP.

·         Yes. I absolutely feel that I can be true to myself in QLSP. In fact, I feel like I  can be more truthful to myself in QLSP than in many other places.

·         I use to think that I needed to act like a stereotypical religious person to be accepted but I have learned to be myself and comfortable to trust.  

·         Yes because at times the beliefs are not what I expected and majority of the times I don’t benefit in any kind of way apart from getting food!

·         Sometimes I am fearful of sharing the part of myself that I love the most with others: the part that comes up in solitude. Often it’s easy for me to be myself in QLSP, especially in year level and committees. I feel like I can bring that loving part of myself along. 

·         My Quaker self stays with me always

·         I think I am more myself at QLSP so rather than step out I step into myself. At QLSP I am vulnerable and true to myself. Outside I close up and act tough. 

·         By accepting myself for who I am and reminding myself I am who I am. Then remind myself that those unable to accept that are not my friends.

·         I feel that QLSP receives me and nurtures the condition I am in. Although sometimes it is hard to find an intersection between my communities, other than myself. 

·         No, I feel that the me everyone sees in QLSP is the same me I am everywhere else. I do struggle with being open in QLSP but feel that it has become a welcoming community for me. 

·         In QLSP (or Quaker communities) I am most at home and most myself. A sense of belonging and love comes from these communities. 

·         Though I sometimes feel secure in my beliefs and my identity as a Quaker, I sometimes feel I have to step outside my beliefs to be able to participate in discussions, or I feel like an outsider if I stay true to myself. 

·         I am trying to be true to myself everywhere. QLSP friends do not have a deciding effect on this, but do often help me feel grounded, centered, loved. 

·         Not always – but I feel like worship helps me feel more comfortable in my skin. The community lends itself to safety for me. 

·         Although I am not usually comfortable opening up to new people, I find that I don’t really mind it here. It is an encouraging and safe group. 

·         In QLSP, I am a version of myself that no one outside of QLSP knows, and a version that I only see when I look deeply into the mirror. In the Quaker Light, I am most truly illuminated.