Notes from the second day of workshop one

Notes from the workshop (during practice sessions):
The workshop is going much better now.  People seem to be really getting it.  Maybe some of the slackers are gone.  I'm seeing much less chatting and more serious tapping happening.  Voices are lower and people are really working.

Also, after my last few presentations there have been many more questions and comments...god, what a relief!  I never realized just how vital that is to teaching.  This last bit was on negative core beliefs.  I've got a slide with 21 classic ones, like "the world is a dangerous place" or "I'm helpless" or "Something must change for me to be okay".

So I decided to ask the group which of these might apply to most Filipinos.  After an agitated few moments, one older woman said all of them!  At first I didn't think I heard her right.  But pretty much the whole group agreed.  I stood next to the screen and went through them, and everyone did agree!  The only one that escaped was "I must be perfect to be loved" which, this being a Catholic nation just makes sense, I guess.

So I asked what would happen if they believed none of them and they were a bit stunned.  I asked them to think of really successful people (not just filthy rich, but rich and happy).  Did they believe these things (obviously not).  Then I suggested that if each of them could change just one of the beliefs for themselves, it might begin to actually impact Filipino society (a bit woo woo maybe).

Anyway, they are taking it really seriously!  Going at it hammer and tongs.  Success!

Edit:  At the end of the workshop I handed out the certificates and shook hands with each student.  It was surprisingly moving for all I think.  Everyone clapped for each other and people were just beaming.

As folks were leaving one woman, Nora, came up to me and invited me to come to her town to teach and organize.  There was a terrible earthquake back in February and if I understood her there are some 50,000 people still homeless, sleeping under tarps and such.  They are all deeply traumatized and it seems that many people died, including some of her students.

I let her know that I couldn't come back to the Philippines any time soon, but I could work with her via Skype.  I could even run a mini training by Skype for a team she put together.  I tried to give her confidence in her own ability to get going on this, as I'll be away for another three weeks or so.  She was very excited and my heart was singing.  This is exactly what I dreamed of coming here!

Then another woman, Edna, approached me.  She had stood out in the class.  She seemed extra sharp and was one of the few to ask questions.  Turns out she runs an early childhood education program at another University and she was already planning how to teach and organize her students to add tapping into their work.

She said that many children cry every time it rains, being traumatized by recent flooding!  That just about broke my heart.  But she's ON IT!  I told her I'd work with her anyway I could.  Again, this is my dream coming real.

After all the students were gone, Alana was meeting with the wonderful young woman who did all the organizing for the event, Dawn.  She's 23 years old and should be running the country, in my opinion.  But they looked worried.  Seems that 6 students hadn't paid yet (and it wasn't clear they would) and the money had come out of Dawn's pocket, so Alana paid her.  That would mean we're $150 in the hole for the workshop, but I don't care.  At this point I'm happy to pay and in fact, all the backers for the Kickstarter project funded this anyway.

But who knows, maybe Dawn will be able to collect before we leave and we'll come out about $13 ahead!  Woo hoo!

I've got today off, so I made my way down to the waterfront and found a big supermarket with a little Internet cafe attached, and here I am.  I wish I could add photos at this point, but it's beyond me with just this wifi connection.

I've got some really incredible images to share!  Stay tuned.