ADF as an organization has two mottos, one of which I feel gets more press than the other.
The one that I feel gets more press is “Why not excellence?” A noble sentiment, and one I admire, though I also feel is asserted too vehemently at times.
The other one seems very separate, but very related to the discerning eye: “As fast as a speeding oak tree!” We know where we want to go, but sometimes progress becomes glacial. It might even be the fault of the first model, per Voltaire’s comment that “The best is the enemy of the good.” Excellence as a target can cause inaction, even though, ironically, it may be necessary to make 49 bad attempts to make one good one.
This blog as a project, and to a much lesser degree the Protogrove, have both been hit with a bit of paralysis, and I found myself uncertain how best to restart. The Protogrove is still running — we did have a Lughnasadh rite, and there will be an Equinox rite — but I found myself unable to write a restart. So many things to cover — Lughnasadh, a workshop/simple rite for the local college group, etc.
The answer is to just start back up, and back-track as needed and relevant. Even if it is as fast as a speeding Oak tree. Now to set myself a schedule for updating regularly.
Chronarchy said
Our blog, Leaves of the Willow, is still not working well. I hope to have time to fix that soon, but I’ve been saying that for months now.
Arthur Shipkowski said
One benefit to using WordPress.com is that the maintenance aspects fall on others.
All the same, I sometimes wonder if it would’ve been better to do this right on the Protogrove’s site.
Noira said
I wish you courage, guys. Building a congregation is never easy, no matter what religion.
My (or our?) Protogrove is not doing splendid either, since all the folks who were with us left, because they had severe personal issues. So we are basically right on the start again after half a year. On the other hand that is not quite true, because I have progressed remarkably with my DP training since and gained some invaluable experience (e.g. on the importance of preventing burnout). I now have a more realistic long-term plan.
And hey, I was donated an unlimited hosting from a Pagan colleague. That´s not bad :-)
Grey Catling said
Hey there. I just wanted to introduce myself. I’m going to be starting a protogrove in Utica, NY. Well… I hope to. I have to send out the Grove Organizer Survey and then get accepted. I’m really excited to have found your blog. I’m both nervous and excited about the process and it helps to see what others are doing.
Thanks,
Grey Catling
Arthur Shipkowski said
Utica, eh? I have a few relatives in Rome, myself, though they wouldn’t be interested.
Nervous and excited is a good way to be. The nervous helps keep the excited in check. :-)