Art of Hosting – V. Seven

My scribbled notes and mind maps from my recent Art of Hosting experience are now harvested in the previous volumes. I’m left with a feeling that I have not done it justice – how can one truly harvest such an experience as we had on Bowen Island? I know I’ll look back on this in many years and still feel its significance.  As a way to conclude these volumes I’d like to offer my profound gratitude in the spirit of Kleco! Kleco!:

• To Caitlin Frost, Teresa Posakony, Tenneson Woolf and Chris Corrigan for designing and hosting a fantastic experience, gracefully holding space while teaching us about this art. Kleco! Kleco!
• To all the good spirits I met. You are that thoughtful group of committed citizens and I’m honoured to know you. Be well on your journey to change the world. Kleco! Kleco!
• To the shoulders of giants I hope to stand on (and all the reading I have ahead of me): Otto Scharmer, Byron Katie, Sam Kaner, Harrison Owen, Peggy Holman, Juanita Brown, Diana Whitney, Margaret Wheatley, Christina Baldwin, and Peter Block. Kleco! Kleco!
• To our hosts at Rivendell for welcoming us during our time on Bowen. Kleco! Kleco!
• To the digital natives who created an online space for the Art of Hosting community. Kleco! Kleco!
• To each of us as we take our renewed participatory leadership practices back into the world, nurturing the spaces we host for ourselves and others. Kleco! Kleco!

I end with one final reflection. After our second Open Space I was reminded of a quote by Mother Teresa: “There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.” It struck me that amongst this group of practitioners who create space and advocate community for others, there was such a fierce hunger for community of our own. I recalled these words of Charlie Brown to his friend Snoopy, “Are you upset little friend? Have you been lying awake worrying? Well, don’t worry. I’m here. The flood waters will recede, the famine will end, the sun will shine tomorrow, and I will always be here to take care of you.”

We have the answers and we are the ones we’ve been waiting for. Remember that it’s in you and it’s in all of us. Don’t wait and don’t go this alone. Pour those cups of tea and invite us in. We have community.

Where are you hungry for community? How can you invite it in?