Why I do what I do -- A letter from Indonesia

[Harrison Owen]

Every now and again somebody asks me why I do what I do, with the
implication that doing nothing (in Open Space) could get real boring. Of
course I never get a question like that from people on this LIST, but you
know what I am talking about :-). Anyhow, this morning I received a letter
from Dania, a young lady from Indonesia whom I met at the Congress for Imams
and Rabbis. In my response to her I said simply, "You made my Day!" - with a
little addition and translation of this Americanism. The letter follows. I
hope it makes your day as well!

Harrison
*********************************************
Dear Mr Owen,
 
My name is Dania Pratiwi. We met at the 2nd world congress of imams and
rabbis for peace in Seville, Spain. I came as a student of Children of
Abraham. I can still remember our interview in the dining room.. do you
remember what I said, that Open Space is a playground? I felt very
embarrassed after that..  
 
Well, Open Space is like a playground for me, but I want you to know that I
enjoyed it a lot. Open Space give me (and other participants) a freedom. A
freedom to choose what we want to do in that congress. Some people joined
the sessions. Some people had informal discussions at the lobby. Some people
were just sat on the sofa and had their snacks (for HOURS). Some people went
to the city. Some people went to their room and sleep (my roomate did
this..) we did whatever we wanted, and it was fun!
 
I myself joined a session which conducted by Ari Alexander, Children of
Abraham's co-executive director. We had some fun there. After that, it was
my turn to conduct the session. But no one came to my session, except Yasser
(another Children of Abraham's student. He's my friend) we got bored. we
decided to left the session and explored the lobby.Then I saw a rabbi who
sat alone. I sat beside him and we had a discussion. After that I explored
the lobby again and met another rabbi. I had a discussion with him too. Then
I explored the lobby again, and met another rabbi. Talked. met another one.
Talked. And another one and another one and another one.. I kept doing that
untill dinner time. 
 
I love having discussion with the Rabbis, because I've never met a rabbi
before. Actually, it was my first time to met Jewish. Most people in
Indonesia are Muslims, and I've never met a Jews here. I really enjoyed the
discussions! The rabbi were nice to me. 
 
Mr Owen, I want to thank you for creating such a 'playground' for us. Thank
you for giving me the opportunity to 'play' with the Imams and Rabbis. I had
a great time there. I really can't thank you enough for this.  
 
Let me know if you have plan to visit Indonesia and conduct the open space
system here. I'd love to join you and be your tour guide here!  It was nice
to meet you, and I hope I can be as great as you someday..
 
Best regards,
Dania


Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, Maryland   20854
Phone 301-365-2093
Skype hhowen
Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com <http://www.openspaceworld.com/>

Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
Personal website www.ho-image.com 
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