Fumbling Forward
I’m about to fumble with my words…
How often have I relied on this phrase to get me through awkward and uncomfortable conversations?
Countless times….
I’ve used this at work when trying to break down a technical topic, with my husband when raising a thorny topic, with family when we don’t see eye-to-eye, with friends when I want to go deeper without offending anyone, with complete strangers when things get really weird…
Fumble Forward is a concept that Donna Mejia created and has honed in her classrooms over the last 20 years. It helps diffuse tension when I know what I’m about to say might hurt someone, but I don’t have the words or context to be graceful about it. And when a conversation takes a dark and stormy turn, it gives me a chance to self-right without self-righteousness.
At the heart of Fumble Forward, I crave to live in a world in which we do not rely on charicatures and assumptions, and we allow ourselves to reclaim curiosity and mutual exploration. We build better questions instead of better defenses.
Fumble Forward communicates positive intent and an invitation to locate mutuality and understanding.
Watch her TEDx talk to learn more about the six elements in her Fumble Forward framework and receive more ideas on how to begin this practice in your own life or check out her website.
I had the honor and privilege of studying with Donna for the first time in 2009. Watching her improvisation during the event’s show floored me, as did her thoughtful presentation and conversation about how to consider the integrity and authenticity of global cultural traditions in an increasingly cut-and-paste world, drawn from her Fullbright scholarship work.
Since then, Donna has challenged, encouraged, and celebrated me and my passions in the world. I treasure our friendship, and….
I’m delighted to announce that Donna will be joining me at the ‘Awapuhi Labyrinth on the Big Island of Hawaii for World Labyrinth Day on May 3rd, 2025!
Donna has agreed to introduce the Fumble Forward framework during our World Labyrinth Day event in Kea’au, which aligns so beautifully to this year’s theme of “Creating Peaceful Paths”.