3 quick tips for holding space when it feels edgy

Hi,

I got an email recently from someone who wants to start offering community cacao circles, but holding space for groups feels "edgy" — she asked for my advice.

So here's 3 simple tips on how to get comfortable as a space-holder:


1. You will get comfortable doing the thing only by doing the thing.

There's no way to bypass the discomfort of putting yourself out there if you haven't done it much. No amount of "practice" outside the arena will help you feel at home inside the arena. View it as a necessary initiation to build your self-trust + facilitation muscles. Make a conscious choice to enjoy it— you get to hold space for some special humans! And, remember to move slowly and breathe. Which brings us to... 

2. Less is more. 

I've had a tendency to overplan and overteach, trying to fill each moment. I've learned to leave more breathing room and time for discussion, questions, rest and silence. When in doubt, invite some collective breaths and ask Spirit: what wants to happen right now? Or as adrienne maree brown says: what conversation can only happen here and now?

3. Trust your Tools

Let the cacao weave its magic. Let the song serve up its medicine. Let the breathwork perform its miracle on the nervous system. Whatever methods, practices or offerings are on the table, let the tools do the work. That's what they're for!  

I hope that's helpful.

Whether you're feeling a call to start offering cacao circles, men's groups, sound baths, book clubs or any other fabulous place for humans to gather:

You've got this!

You are courageous and your work matters.  

Keep going.

I love you,

PS. Do you have a question about leadership, creativity, money, entrepreneurship or how to be a spiritual human in a materialistic world?