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<DIV><SPAN class=015592218-28042004><FONT face="Comic Sans MS"
color=#008080>Alex <FONT color=#008080>Kjerulf has this cool little shocking
pink foam rubber brain that he used as a talking/listening object when
we opened space at the KaosPilots in Denmark. Inspired me to
find something that light and portable - found a great little stuffed
bumblebee. The last OST I facilitated in AZ was extremely time
challenged. That little bee "flew" around the room, enabling everyone
(in the crowd of 100 or so) who wanted to, to share their reflections in the 10
remaining minutes. Even better, when someone tossed that bee,
the whole crowd began to say, "buzz." Good vibrations all
around.</FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015592218-28042004></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=015592218-28042004><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#008080>I
also have a favorite talking stick I found when I was calling to
something to make itself known to me. I was near my favorite meditation
rock in the desert near my home. Looks just like a snake and is
fairly long and twisted which makes it a challenge to pack.
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=4><SPAN><EM><FONT face="Viner Hand ITC"><SPAN
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color=#008080 size=3></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></EM></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face="Viner Hand ITC"
color=#008080><EM><STRONG>Christine</STRONG></EM></FONT></P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> OSLIST
[mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]<B>On Behalf Of </B>Joelle Lyons
Everett<BR><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, April 27, 2004 10:58 PM<BR><B>To:</B>
OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: Talking sticks and
listening sticks<BR><BR></FONT></DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT
face=Geneva color=#000000 size=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF">Phil--<BR><BR>If I bring
the talking stick for a meeting, I usually choose something from my own
land--a fresh cedar branch (like Harrison, I don't put it in the trash, but
take it home, return it to the woods or sometimes burn it, with a ritual of
thanks), or a piece of driftwood from the beach, to which I may add a couple
of shells, or some fresh ivy, or a few flowers tied on with a bit of ribbon,
depending on the season. I look for something that feels comfortable in
my hand, and if I add something to it, I leave a stretch of branch that is
easy to hold. In other contexts, I may stack two or three felt-tip pens
into a "stick" and pass that, for groups that are leary of something with
"mystical" or other strange connotations.<BR><BR>I usually ask the planning
group whether they have some object of special significance they would like to
use, and some do. One client brought her "magic wand," a clear plastic
tube with glitter that floated up and down. Another brought two rocks,
one with a hollow on top and a smaller egg-shaped rock that sits in the
hollow. A member of the organization, not the one who donated the rocks,
spoke briefly but eloquently about their meaning.These rocks have attended a
number of meetings now, and have a place of honor in the office.<BR><BR>In a
couple of instances where a key person was leaving the organization, I have
made a talking stick, used it in the closing circle, and then presented it to
the person who is leaving, as a tangible farewell from the group.<BR><BR>I'm
in the "pass-it-around" camp, unless the group is very large, and suggest that
those who choose not to speak hold the stick for a moment, receiving the
attention of the group, before they pass it along.<BR><BR>I'm loving to hear
all the variations of this common theme--it reinforces my feeling that there
is no one right way to do this closing, but finding some way to do it is
powerful.<BR><BR>Joelle</FONT><FONT face=Geneva color=#000000 size=2
FAMILY="SANSSERIF"></FONT> * *
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