Thank you, Harrison, Don Horrigan -----Original Message----- From: OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Harrison Owen Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2001 12:02 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Now What?
Three days ago our world changed. Radically, and probably for ever. Again. And although the pain and confusion is far from resolution -- Griefwork does not happen over night -- we must work our way through. Many loud OH Shits! And we still can't believe that it really happened... Memories will start to flow as we recall how it was before the madness of a few ripped the fabric of our global community... And there will be despair as we recognize that much of what we trusted and expected no longer exists. Silence will come as we find ourselves in the Open Space between what used to be so familiar and whatever it is that will happen next. And out of that silence comes a question -- What do we do with the rest of our lives? No answers. Just a question, a Quest.... For some the shock and anger will never cease. Others will live lives of Denial, unable to comprehend that it really did happen. All of us will carry memories of the times we knew -- what might have been -- of innocence lost and lives snuffed out before their time. The despair we experience will be intense, and some will chose not to go through it, but those who do will experience the silence which is at once the ending and the beginning... And the question -- What do we do with the rest of our lives? I believe this community has the special opportunity and responsibility to take what we have known and experienced for the past 16 years in Open Space and make it available to our brothers and sisters around the world. If ever there was a situation of serious common concern, characterized by enormous complexity, a staggering diversity of peoples and needs, blinding conflict, and a decision time of yesterday -- we got it. And we know what to do about it. Open some Space. There is no need for a plan, elaborate proposals, budgets... JUST DO IT! Wherever, however, and with whomever... Just Do it! With family, friends, communities, fellow workers, perfect strangers. This is not about selling Open Space Technology -- it is about confronting the Open Space of our lives with the tools we have been perfecting. It is fast, cheap, effective, works with all sorts and sizes of groups, easy to teach -- and free. We need not operate under the illusion that we will save the world. But we might just help. Folks, Now is the time, and we are the people. I look forward to hearing from you. Harrison Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, MD 20854 USA phone 301-469-9269 fax 301-983-9314 Summer Phone 207-763-3261 Summer Address 189 Beaucaire Ave. Camden, ME 04843 Personal website www.mindspring.com/~owenhh Open Space Institute website www.openspaceworld.org Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com
