Strapping the four logs together

You need to leave well in order to enter well. 

For those who have moved a number of times in their lives, particular to different cultures, the acronym R.A.F.T. (Reconciliation, Affirmation, Farewells, and Think destination) is a known concept about using each of those ‘logs’ as part of a process of leaving and arriving. This idea of building a raft can help with the journey from where you are to where you are going. How you leave one place has a profound effect on how you enter the next, and particular to our own community, how we leave Escazú and the CDS campus here, will have an effect on how we enter the new campus in August and the year ahead. The R.A.F.T. model might shed some light on how we may leave ‘well’.

Going through and strapping each of the four logs together to form a R.A.F.T. will ensure that you not only leave well, but that your transition journey will be a psychologically healthy one that will help on the other side, and in our case, the other side of the Valley. Allowing yourself, allowing all of us as a community, to reconcile relationships, affirm those things important to us, to say farewell and process the what is special about our landing is necessary.

Here are some thoughts about each log:

• Reconciliation: Making the relationship right. Just because we leave a place doesn’t mean the problem(s) go(es) away. They don’t – instead they go with you. Research has been done on health-related issues due to lack of forgiveness and lack of resolution. Take the time now to figure out what needs mending and then move forward.
• Affirmation: Is there anyone or any part of your work that you are super thankful for? Any part o the campus or the community that has been helpful, inspiring, special to your work here at CDS? Tell them. Let them know how much you appreciate them and what they did for you, for your teaching, for your profession. Is it a program here or a space or a tree? Take a photo and post about it or make note how you can replicate it. Awkward? Write a letter to tell the person or publish about the place- but do tell them. You have the opportunity to make someone or group of people and projects feel appreciated – and we’ll feel great that we did it as we move forward.
• Farewell: I stopped and took a picture of the zipline and amazing set-up on the soccer right before field day on Friday and sent it off to a few people. This was not because I wanted the photo, but because we needed to say goodbye to field day as we know it now. While the goodbyes and farewells are the hardest part of the raft, it is important to say goodbye. Not only to people, but in this case as we are almost all going, it is important to say goodbye to places and things as well. This may sound strange, but many transition blogs and accounts describe how this really helps to bring closure. We will use the upcoming EOY events, those times that we always help our community say goodbye to a year, say goodbye to a place.
• Think Destination: It’s just that – think about the new campus. How will it be different from where we are now? How will it be the same? In your own classroom, in your own daily schedule, go through this dialogue with your inner self and with your students as well. It may help them in the process as well. Have you gone through our flickr account? Will you visit this Saturday? Where will you be teaching or learning or playing? Reminder: It’s okay to feel excited about the new campus as you say good-bye to all the old places here. It’s normal.

Take the time personally and professionally as CDS community member to build the R.A.F.T. and leave this special place to make a new place special in August. Most importantly, enjoy the time with our students and staff today and during our time together!