Winston Churchill once said “This is not the end, it’s not even the beginning of the end. It’s the end of the beginning.”
On Wednesday night we celebrated The Homecoming - the Rite of Passage that marks the final stage of a formation program called The Rite Journey. What is a Rite of Passage? Ideally a Rite of Passage is a ritual, a ceremony that marks the occasion where an individual leaves one group to enter another. There’s a change of status. There might be new rights and new freedoms but also new expectations, new responsibilities.
Experts would say that a good Rite of Passage should set up Cognitive Dissonance in its participants. What might you ask is Cognitive Dissonance? It’s a discomfort triggered when a person’s beliefs are challenged by new information.
We were privileged to hear the reflections of our young men about the trek they have taken over the course of this year, as they learned more about themselves and their place in the world. In recognising more about themselves, in being challenged about their beliefs, their strengths and their weaknesses, they were exposed to Cognitive Dissonance. In that discomfort they have had to confront the masks they use every day and start to face the person who is developing into an adult inside each one of them.
It may sound like a contradiction, almost a paradox, but by focussing on knowing themselves they have the freedom to be more present to others - to understand and live the idea that “it’s not always about you”.
This year in lessons and at the Challenge Camp which forms part of the Rite Journey, teachers have walked with our young men. Parents, caregivers and mentors have also supported them in this journey. There have been challenges and awkward silences, disappointments and frustrations, but there have also been triumphs and learnings, joys and celebrations.
On Wednesday evening, our young men moved symbolically from boyhood to manhood. It’s important to recognise however, that the journey doesn’t end here.
“This is not the end, it’s not even the beginning of the end. It’s the end of the beginning.”
The Homecoming isn’t a destination. It’s a signpost, a waypoint on the journey, where our young men can take stock, sit and reflect, look back down the road and say, “how far have I come!”, “how much have I learned!” and then, assured with a better knowledge of themselves, turn to face the road ahead.
Masks to represent the boys left behind were ritually burned, and white shirts/ties representing the man to come, were accepted. The journey from here will be long and hopefully fruitful, with many new experiences.
Our young Eddies Men have taken a step forward but as always here at Eddies, they’re not alone - our Team walks with them, in trust and love. I’m sure all of us who have experienced it will agree that the journey from youth to adulthood isn’t easy.
We the Eddies Team, pledge our support to all our Eddies Men, as guiding hands, as annoying reminders and as steadfast supporters. We hope they may be all they can be, that they find happiness and success and make a difference in this world.
“This is not the end, it’s not even the beginning of the end. It’s the end of the beginning.”
Remembrance Day
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in 1911 the guns fell silent. Every year on 11 November we remember those who have served and who still serve to defend our country. At the Remembrance Ceremony on Thursday we acknowledged all past and serving Defence Force members, especially our Defence Families. The sacrifices made by those in all theatres of conflict throughout the world must never forgotten. Lest we forget.
