One of the great things about these workshops is that I always learn something along the way.
Toward the close of the just-ended 2007 Quest workshop, I was talking with Drew Stephens, the new head of Southridge School near Vancouver. (You may recall Southridge from the book.)
He was thinking about how the school could move into the future … being so thoughtful about starting by honoring all members of the school community. He wanted to find ways for each person to see the school as an instrument for their hopes for society (and their aspirations for themselves).
It occurred to me to say, "Please keep in touch with your own hopes for society, Drew, and for yourself — as you think about what you can do for them."
Hmm …
"Besides, can you see how hanging on tightly to your own dreams will influence your working with others? You deserve it, and at some level they’ll be aware of your awareness."
And then the twist on the Golden Rule …
"You’ll be treating yourself just as you want to treat them."
That was the first time the idea occurred to me. Does that speak to you as it did to me — and to Drew? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Click here to see more of what we learned together at the workshop. And here are some audio snippets that capture the flavor of what happened.
The great group at the last workshop graciously recorded some messages to me so I could share a bit of their experience. I’ve pulled out some snippets from their remarks — that capture the flavor of the workshop for me, and perhaps might let you relish a bit of the experience as well. Take a moment to enjoy … the recording is less than four minutes, and worth every second.
Then click here for photos of the group — and more comments from them.
Here’s a photo of the great group that gathered for last week’s workshop at Ferncliff. Scroll down to read what they had to say about the experience.
And here are a few messages the group recorded so others could share a bit of their experience. Take a moment to enjoy … the recording is less than four minutes, and worth every second.
This intriguing story courtesy of Vibha, whose presence graced the October workshop:
Dear Jim and Friends,
I must say that the workshop has amplified my appreciative perception for looking at people and situations. Interacting with you all gave me a strong feeling that I am not alone in aspiring to change the world !!!!
I had one profound experience yesterday and want to share this with you all.
Here is a picture I clicked yesterday when I stopped at traffic signal, on my way to work in New Delhi at 9.15 a.m. I took this pic while sitting in my car from my cell phone.
Continued >>
My friend and colleague, Nancy Warner, sent me a great message about what happened when she gave the book to a friend of hers. Take a few seconds to hear what Nancy had to say:
Received this week from Olen Jones of National Community Renaissance, who participated in the March 2007 unconference:
"What if?" is a powerful question, and imposed on the image of our planet, it evokes some strong feelings — the awareness that somehow what I do affects us all, the connectedness of the planet, the wonder of this miraculous little blue marble hung in the immense blackness of space…. "What if" we all cared about each other and about the planet?
I’d add another question: What if we all saw how much we care about each other and the planet?
Thanks, Olen for these moving images.
A week or so ago, I wrote about a woman in Spokane. I sent the same note to a few people with whom I’ve been in touch recently, and was surprised to hear back from so many:
Was that timely or what?!
and…
Just this morning I was going over ALL the things I have "to do." I have arrived at the same conclusions:
I AM a dreamer. I believe I CAN "change the world." To do so I need SPACE to dream and TIME to reflect, share and implement. To create that, I will harness my energy and passion, and focus them on just a few meaningful dreams.
This next week or two are dedicated to clearing the slate of "other stuff" to create a new space!
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Here’s something that happened at the end of a workshop last week in Spokane. It was an important reminder for me and I thought you might find it useful.
The woman who spoke has served as chair of the development committees at several organizations and has nine children.
"A year ago, I was busy doing all kinds of different things," she told us.
I’ve stopped and taken a look at where I am and what I am doing. And I realized that even though I was giving and doing a lot, I had too much going on.
After reading the book and being here over the last couple of days, I have a clearer sense of direction about what’s important and what I want to do. And with the clarity that I’ve gotten, I have one area — just one — that I want to focus on.
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The excitement created by the workshop and "unconference" just concluded has prompted us to plan an encore event. This will again be a chance for a select group of people — who have expressed great enthusiasm for the powerful ideas in the book, What Kind of World Do You Want? — to experience bringing those ideas to life.
The workshop
6 p.m. on Sunday, May 13, through 3:30 p.m. on Monday, May 14
This fast-paced and engaging workshop picks up where the book, What Kind of World Do You Want? leaves off. You might say it’s the book brought-to-life.
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At the March 2007 "unconference," Linda Whitehead convened a session on the topic:
How can we be leaders in convening conversations centred around What Kind of World Do You Want?
She told us that friends inviting friends to their homes to view "An Inconvenient Truth" and then discuss the DVD had generated much energy and desire. Then Stephanie Linder told us about how the Dean campaign grew from "house parties." An idea emerged from this session:
To create the world you want, you could invite over a few friends for a conversation spurred by the ideas in the book. You could choose to keep the conversation close to the book (and what was exciting about it). You could go farther and use the time to talk about personal aspirations on behalf of community and beyond. One could lead to the other.
Continued >>
