June 11-13 , 2004
Every man has had a father. No matter what our connection has been, he is in us. Some may still not know who our father was, not down deep, where his wounded heart lived. Our father was shaped by forces that pounded him, and these forces also shaped us. How has my father influenced my identity? Am I destined to follow in his footsteps? How am I different? What did he teach me and what am I teaching my sons?
We’ll ask long-unanswered, brave questions, reveal secrets, and begin to heal the inevitable hurts and losses. We’ll look at the role work and career vs. family has played in our lives, our children, our marriages, our friends. We’ll build a safe community, free from criticism, and moralizing, based on the hope that if we can talk, reasonably and tenderly, changes will come. When the workshop ends, we will have a clearer idea about the work yet to be done and be better equipped with tools, techniques, and strategies that will advance that process.
Sid and Matt Simon believe that people hurt each other mostly out of their own untended and unhealed wounds. Opportunities for mutual healing open up when we find the courage to move beyond blame and denial. There’s been enough disappointment on all sides. Making peace with a crucial part of our past in order to create a more rewarding future. This gathering is designed to meet the needs of individuals who come alone, or with fathers and sons, or with in-laws, or a friend. You can do the work you need to do even if there is not a present - or even living - father or son in your life now. This is a precious opportunity to establish more fulfilling relationships, regardless of what happened when we were younger.
Sid Simon, Professor Emeritus at University of Massachusetts, was instrumental in founding the Values Clarification Movement by developing a theory and practical strategies that have altered counseling practice, child rearing, education, medical care, and social work in this country and abroad. Sid is dynamic, his experience is vast, and his heart is large. He wrote 16 books, including Values Clarification, Getting Unstuck, and Forgiveness and leads workshops worldwide.
Matthew Simon grew up in a family devoted to workshops the way some kids grow up around cars or carpentry. He’s a certified teacher of Re-evaluation Counseling (RC) with 20 years of personal counseling experience. Matthew has led workshops, support groups, and classes and has served as an RC Reference Person who specializes in relationship counseling. We are honored to present this important workshop.