Michael and Birgitt too -- Perceptive as always. On the subject of "Spirit disappearing" That was actually an observation from my life. There have been times when Spirit went poof and I was decimated -- and then I discovered that the grief process was actually Spirit renewing itself -- (which is what I said.) I know of many others who feel/felt the same way, and I hope that they too will make my discovery -- that grief is actually renewing itself. And sure post it at the top of my "papers" or wherever.
Harrison On Thu, Mar 17, 2022 at 1:30 AM Michael Herman via OSList < oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote: > I think your preface covers a lot of good ground, Harrison. > > I thought this was classic: "I am a storyteller. To be truthful..." You > tell both sides like nobody I've ever known! Not sure everyone will read > it as humorously as I did. Maybe it wasn't even intended that way. But I > think you could leave out "To be truthful." Just be truthful, without > narrating it, without taking that step back to observe, only four words > into the piece. > > Where Birgitt picks out "Spirit disappears," I think she's on to > something. Might make that, "When Spirit eludes me/us..." or "When Spirit > escapes..." I guess I like the latter. It fits better with Ending. And > it sparks us to some wondering about where it might go "to" in those > moments when it seems to disappear. > > A couple other small word things... "It is true, multiple words..." didn't > capture how many words... maybe "While many words are spoken..." or "A > multitude of words might be spoken..." And in the opening of the next > paragraph, I'd say "This "strange event"..." rather than "The..." > > I appreciate Birgitt's thought about ending with the "warning" paragraph, > and "be careful." It works both ways, but differently. I think it's a > stronger ending than what you have, but I do think it works best where you > have it. Which leads me to wonder what I might be missing in the last > line(s). > > Ending as you have, you invite people to enjoy and share the story, but I > think you could go further. You could invite readers to "Please enjoy, > make it your own, and pass it along. We are all storytellers now, [always > have been and always will be]. Good luck! And keep your Spirit up! > [That's what this book is about.]" Or something like that, something in > the spirit of "anyone with a good head and good heart." The funny thing > about your story is that it doesn't go on because people share it... it > goes on because people step up and share their own story, inside of or > extending from, yours. > > When you're satisfied that it's done, would it be appropriate to post this > same story (tweaked for reference to "this book") atop all of your writings > at openspaceworld.com? > > Thanks, > > Michael > > -- > > Michael Herman > Michael Herman Associates > 312-280-7838 (mobile) > > MichaelHerman.com > OpenSpaceWorld.org > > > > > On Wed, Mar 16, 2022 at 7:06 PM Birgitt Williams via OSList < > oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote: > >> Dear Harrison, >> as always, your writing is inspiring. You asked for feedback and here is >> what would make this preface writing work better for me. It is all of >> course fine as it is. However, if you were to take the beginning sentences >> and put them at the end in exactly the order that you wrote them. This >> would leave the ending of the preface with the words 'be careful', a phrase >> sure to get the pages turning. Or is it only me that would turn those pages >> when admonished to 'be careful' as it would peak my curiosity. Can you >> picture a strengthening of your message? the sentences I am referring to >> are: >> >> "I am a story teller. >> >> >> >> To be truthful, I was trained as an academician, but I came to a >> startling recognition: *Nobody was ever moved by facts, figures, and >> footnotes. A good story, however, will move Spirit and minds.* >> >> >> >> I should warn you of what you already know: Storytellers have a very >> light regard for the truth, as in “The facts of the matter,” and “What >> actually happened” However, if the story is a good one, The Truth will pop >> out, which is what makes a story good – one that you will remember ... and >> may change your life. Be careful." >> >> >> aI don't believe Spirit disappears. it is constant. Our sense of Spirit >> disappearing can be strong, especially when there are endings. I love when >> you say that endings are also the work of Spirit. I would prefer that the >> words about Spirit disappearing are changed. The constant of Spirit, life >> force, present always, accessible always, is essential for Open Space >> Technology to work. >> >> >> with love and blessings, >> >> Birgitt >> >> >> >> [image: Picture] >> >> >> *Birgitt Williams* >> *Senior consultant-author-mentor to leaders and consultants * >> *Specialist in organizational and systemic transformation, leadership >> development, and the power of nourishing a culture of leadership.* >> www.dalarinternational.com >> >> >> >> Learn More & Register >> <http://www.dalarinternational.com/upcoming-workshops/> for any of our >> upcoming workshops here. >> >> >> PO Box 19373, Raleigh, NC, USA 27613 >> Phone: 01-919-522-7750 >> Like us on Facebook >> <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=6677c35b38&e=e7zyhHfiqG> >> >> Connect on LinkedIn >> <https://dalarinternational.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35ed818c946a88ba7344da05f&id=c26173f86b&e=e7zyhHfiqG> >> >> >> >> On Tue, Mar 15, 2022 at 4:37 PM Harrison Owen SR via OSList < >> oslist@lists.openspacetech.org> wrote: >> >>> >>> Audrey Hepburn, a Young Chinese lady (that really is her name!) tells >>> me that she is going to publish some of my books in Chinese and, would I >>> write a preface? I said I would try, but always following my >>> fundamental dictum (Never work harder than you have to) I suggested doing >>> one for all. It is a preface and you could stick it anywhere... maybe. Easy >>> said -- but I never quite figured how hard it might be to summarize 60 >>> years of thinking into a page and a bit. I have no idea if I have >>> succeeded, But you might -- and if not let me know, and I"ll try to do >>> better. >>> >>> Harrison >>> -- >>> 7808 River Falls Drive >>> Potomac, MD 20854 USA >>> 301-365-2093 >>> _______________________________________________ >>> OSList mailing list >>> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org >>> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org >>> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >>> Past archives can be viewed here: >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org >> >> _______________________________________________ >> OSList mailing list >> To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org >> To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org >> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: >> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org >> Past archives can be viewed here: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org > > _______________________________________________ > OSList mailing list > To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org > To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org > To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: > http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org > Past archives can be viewed here: > http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org
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