Does anything matter?

[Jim Wade]

Thanks, Ralph  - and thanks to all others who have responded.

I feel more comfortable with the simpler more casual approach to such
matters - but I'll continue to experiment and learn.

Best wishes

Jim
===================
Jim wrote:

I've noticed that many Open Space events include an extremely neat
arrangement of pens and paper in the centre of the opening circle; for
example with several stacks of paper and with pens in orderly rows, placed
uniformly around the centre point

I tend to place those resources more simply - a single stack of paper
(fanned to make it easy to grab a sheet) and - literally - a pile of pens
poured from a bucket

Does it matter? If so, why?

And Michael added (somewhat tongue-in-cheek, I believe)...

oh, by the gods of open space, Jim, this is one of the most complex 
issues...in fact, there really should be nothing at the actual center it 
 representing the void (sometimes obliterated with flowers, candeles, 
scarfs and other schnickschnack)...and anything near the center should 
be as minimalistic as possible, of course...and conform to the 
international standards of visualisation (only one color of paper only 
one color of markers...all kinds of meanings are given to colors!!)...we 
at the berlin open space cooperative (registered under the German coop 
law) have been in the process of writing a detailed manual exactly 
touching this one point...
One thing I recently learned from an insider is never, never to put my 
temple bells on the floor (I used to deposit them among the paper stacks 
near the center)since it dishonors the bells...well, one less thing to 
have there

And I think...

I cannot imagine the quality of any open space event I have seen either as
participant or facilitator since 1986 has ben affected by the way pens,
paper (colored or not), flowers, bells, scarves, tree branches, stones,
microphones, etc., are present or absent, thoughtfully arranged or
carelessly strewn.  I have never seen a participant have trouble picking up
a piece of paper -- or give up their willingness to post a session because
the paper was too difficult to pick up.  

I don't put bells in the center because once my set was stolen (as a joke,
but I didn't know that until the next day).  I always use white paper
because I believe it is the most environmental choice.  Avoiding placing
something in the very center because it dishonors the space?  To me that's
just hollow symbolism.  ALL the spaces need to be honored.  The spirit in
the space is so much more powerful than I, so I don't feel comfortable
making my own personal interpretations of what honors it or doesn't.  I
don't think the space cares.  And spirit will overwhelm or supercede any
attempt by me, mistaken or otherwise, to reflect, coax, or capture it.

Each of us can do what feels right, that honors the spirit of the way we
honor spirit.  Some participants will notice and feel supported, and many
will not.

Nothing matters to everyone, everything matters to someone, and many things
matter to no one.  So yes and no, Jim.  You'll never know.

Ralph Copleman

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