<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><HTML><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2">Dear Colleagues,<BR>
<BR>
Awakened this morning with some thoughts on this subject of OSonOS as compared to an OS with a client and a theme. Or some other form of OS.<BR>
<BR>
First, I resonate strongly with the issue of the 'sacredness' of the container and the form. Morning news and evening reflections should be just that, not more, imho. The market place is there for everything else, or the great break conversations. I had to chuckle deeply because one of the posters got more from that (the break conversations) than from the 'sessions', or so he said. The more things change, the more they stay the same.<BR>
<BR>
Next, the L2F in those circles does become difficult because later someone else will be talking and I may want to hear what was said. If I've left because the circle purpose has been usurped (strong word, I know), then I'm also the poorer for not hearing the next person.<BR>
<BR>
Then, OSonOs (I've attended two, Australia and Denmark; Joelle has attended 10 or more, I've not got the right count, probably) seems to me to be a mixed gathering of people who are long time colleagues, 'lovers', experienced practitioners, newbies, locals, etc. This type of collegial gathering isn't something that one attends to 'get something' as the </FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"><I>primary</I></FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"> reason, imho, but is more for 'being'.<BR>
<BR>
The Creative Problem Solving Institute (the CPSI) is a similar organization where long time attenders and presenters go to 'fall in love again', and incidently to be stimulated by some new thoughts from a presenter, convenor, etc. Of course, one hopes to learn something, or 'get something' at these kinds of events but for the most part they are opportunities to 'fall in love again' with people, some of whom you have known for years and some you just met. To me, OSonOs and the CPSI are a spiritual love-in that occurs in a moment in time and I'm there for the loving, not the getting.<BR>
<BR>
Of course, then the issue might become "Is it 'worth' it if I don't 'get' something out of it?". Depends on your stage in life, I suspect. I used to be a strong 'gotta get something-er' myself, so I know the drill. I've come to realize that, for me, and not meaning it has to be for anyone else, getting something is wholly secondary, it's the loving presence of non-judgmental people that makes it a 'spiritual adventure'.<BR>
<BR>
Well, that's what was bubbling up this morning.<BR>
<BR>
Blessings,<BR>
<BR>
Paul Everett<BR>
<BR>
PS: I'm still a strong 'outcomes' person for client-centered events, such as OS, which I still think is one of the as-yet-unrealized opportunities to strengthen OS as a strategy for </FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"><I>real</I></FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"> change.</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Geneva" FAMILY="SANSSERIF" SIZE="2"></FONT></HTML>
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