Creating a World That Works for All: One Community at a Time

Sharing our Intentions for the 1-24 Cafe

With our 2nd World Cafe coming up at the end of the week, I think we could add a lot of juice to the Field by voicing our intentions for this gathering. Those of you who attended Dr. Christopher Bache's workshop at UNCA a while back or who have read the work of folks like Margaret Wheatley and others, know the importance of nurturing the Field that is created when a new initiative is launched. The bulk of the outcome we get from our gathering will come from the clarity we bring to our intentions.. We can as a group build the energy for the upcoming event by taking a moment to examine our intentions..... asking the question, "what draws me to this event?". To get the ball rolling, I'd like to share my motivation for coming.

My vision for the series sprang from the intense feelings that arose for me the night of the election returns. The work that is before the new President and us as a nation is huge... and Einstein’s quote about the level of thinking it'll take to take on these challenges for me, couldn't be more front and center. World Café’s and other venues for deep dialogue… have the power to elevate our level of thinking. It is my hope that in these gatherings, ideas are hatched and nurtured, connections are made and deepened, and meaningful projects get launched and sustained as we all find our authentic voice in community.

I'd love to hear from you...what draws you to this gathering....and what are the possibilities might you see in your wildest dreams? K

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Permalink Reply by Gayatri Erlandson on January 22, 2009 at 10:54am

Hey Kerry,

Yes - our thinking about and imagining what's possible at the next event, and generally nurturing the Field of any event ahead of time, is very important. Thanks for the reminder! I imagine really interesting and creative people connecting, getting to know each other personally, people who are passionate about community, about collaboration and about creating a new future together. I see people with amazing skills, ideas and energy; people willing and able to participate and take ownership in co-creating new structures for living and being in the world. As a group, it seems we are at the stage of community building, and I see that richly unfolding - many smiles throughout. At the end of the event, I see people smiling, expressing gratitude for having been there and excited about what the future holds.

I also am excited about the information on Transition Towns that Zelle Nelson posted from Tom Atlee of the Co-intelligent Institute. I think that learning about this (having a presentation at the beginning of events), with the idea that we could collaborate to nurture such Town(s) here, would be an exciting topic around which to have some Conversation Cafes. So I include in my visioning the offering of inspiring information that sparks the imagination, communion and commitment of folks to continue creating community and actually building what's possible. Namaste, Gayatri

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Permalink Reply by Sallie Lee on January 22, 2009 at 12:04pm

With the inauguration of Obama, we have been officially launched into the era of Collaboration, with a capital 'C'. many of us have been working for this for many years. Now, the pubic conversation is going to swiftly shift to one of greater inclusivity and a vocabulary of community. What does that mean to us here in this area? What do we already know about community and collaboration that we can bring to bear on WNC and our connections around the globe? What have been our experiences with community? We already have a community of all WNC that is a product of all of us collectively. What do we already have here? What more specifically do we want for ourselves individually and for our smaller communities within the larger WNC? These are the questions I want to hear input on. My intention is to listen closely to what other participants are saying and inquire into greater clarity on the questions above. Sallie Lee

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Permalink Reply by Valerie Hosking on January 23, 2009 at 5:41pm

What interests me personally about this gathering is the coming together of thinking people, who harbor a desire to communicate, and learn, with one other about ways in which to build upon and grow in their community. The possibilities? Why, a communal rolling up of the sleeves, and literally and otherwise, getting down to the work of it all, with sweat and smiles all around. That is to say, a coming together of the spirit. Being stronger as an entire unit of many parts, taking on the foes of our age, and succeeding in making our little place in the world a greener, and rosier, place to dwell. By so doing, having the influence of even a small sea, therefore influencing the whole world for the better.