Open Space in conflict zones

[Winston Kinch]

To add to Lisa's poem: (I know this is not new, but it feels so relevant)

The Starfish

Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the
ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the
beach before he began his work.

One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down
the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled
to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day.

So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw
that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing,
but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up
something and very gently throwing it in to the ocean.

As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you
doing?"
The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing
starfish in the ocean."
"I guess I should have asked,why are you throwing starfish
in the ocean?"
"The sun is up and the tide is going out. And if I don't throw
them in they'll die."
"But, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles
of beach and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make
a difference!"
The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked up
another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking
waves and said

. "It made a difference for that one."

Winston

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