When we travel to a conference or educational event, we invest our time, energy, and resources into the experience. We want to enter as fully as possible into new learning, insights, connections, and engagement with our deepest self and those who gather in an international learning community. We want to grow in gratefulness for the people and places we encounter. The reality is, when we attend something, we really tend our life.
We will each do this in our own way—as introverts, extroverts, with our age, abilities, current life responsibilities, commitments, and dreams. When we show up and tend to the present time, we cultivate gratefulness.
 

To prepare for the "Cultivating Compassion" educational events in Atlanta, Georgia, April 28 -- May 2, 2011, review these tips, and please, add your thoughts and ideas to the comments section.

Preparation

• Dress for comfort: Layer clothing so you can adapt to room temperatures that may be too warm, or too cool. Comfortable shoes make exploration fun!
• Let people at home know that you may not be as available as usual. Ask for their support so you can tend your time well.
• Set an away message on your cellular phone or an auto-reply on your e-mail. This will let people know they may not receive an immediate response from you.
• Bring your business cards or brochures for the community share tables, and to share with people you meet.
• Consider bringing your own snacks—trail mix, fruit, etc.
• Add ibuprofen, Vitamin C, or other items that restore you after travel and potential fatigue.
• Check out the area where the conference is located—is there somewhere you want to make sure to visit?
• Who are the people or groups you may want to meet with face-to-face? Contact them and schedule a time before you arrive at the event. When the actual event begins, time moves swiftly.
• Bring a pair of earplugs. A good night sleep is restorative, and often our dreams speak to us. When we are in a hotel room or unfamiliar home, with different sounds, or a roommate, a simple pair of earplugs can make all the difference in a good night of sleep.
• Reflect on your inner intention for attending, and give yourself permission to be surprised, challenged, and inspired.

Arrival

• Orientate yourself, and review the map in your event folder. Learn where you can easily find the washrooms, your workshops, bookstore, meditation room (for a quiet moment or more), and the coffee, tea, water…
• Be willing to meet new people, and stretch beyond your usual comfort zone.
• If--or when--you discover you forgot something at home, notice how you respond. Is there a learning of gentleness and being grateful for the willingness to live without it for a few days. Of course if it is an essential medication, that’s one thing. But if it’s left behind, what does the absence invite in you?
• Say “yes” to tend to your life in a new place.

Conference Time — includes plenary sessions, workshops, exhibits, meals, etc.

• Each morning (or prior evening) review your schedule for the day. Notice what grabs your attention, and if you are inspired to make any adaptations to honor your own learning and ability to be present.
• Bring your favorite pen, journal, paper.
• Wear your nametag.
• Turn your cellular phone off, or set it to vibrate during plenary sessions and workshops.
• Tend to the present as fully as possible—this means to people, presenters, prayer, yourself.
• Be willing to introduce yourself to others—in workshops, waiting lines, in plenary sessions.
• Attend the plenary sessions—this will be common ground for conversations and integration of the overall event theme.
• Arrive to your sessions a little early if you want a good seat.
• Make ongoing notes about who you meet, and how to connect. By the time you return home, you will not remember.
• Create an ongoing list of follow-up actions for yourself.
• Talk to exhibitors—leave your business card if you want to connect. Make notes on the cards or brochures you gather.
• Take breaks—you know yourself. You do not have to do everything.
• Be kind to yourself, and everyone around you.
• Meet and connect with at least one new person each day.
• Learn something new.
• Say thank you.

Return

• Reflect on your time. What did you cultivate—with people, ideas, organizations, learning, within yourself?
• What key thoughts, experiences, insights, or actions ripple within you? Write them in your journal or conference notes.
• Are there action items that need follow-up upon your return to your home or workplace? Make a list, and plan to follow-through.
• What do you want to share with your colleagues, local community, family or friends? Create a plan to do this.
• Complete the conference evaluation—your voice is important, and will contribute to future events.