It's all the same . . .

I don't often post other people's posts - Seems that I tend to simply spew my stream of consciousness thinking here and send it out to the stratosphere that is the worldwide web. My Father Harrison Owen posted something to the Open Space Technology ListServe a few days ago that resonated deeply with me . . . I can't get it out of my mind. One of my favorite sayings has ALWAYS been: "We're all in this together!" We might as well enjoy ourselves, right?

So - Below is Dad's post:

"Doubtless I have led a blessed and charmed life, at least some might think so and I know so. But the truth of the matter is that funding for my work has never been something I worried about, at least not much. In one way or another things just got taken care of, although not always in the time frame or amount that I hoped for or expected. Starting in the late '70's when I left my last honest job (where I actually got a pay check) I simply followed my nose. If there was a plan I don't have a clue what it was, although in retrospect everything seems to make a certain amount of sense. And my nose took me to lots of interesting nooks and crannies, most of which looked nothing like a job or a paycheck. My fascination with organizational culture, myth (story) and ritual was viewed as odd to say the least, and when I ventured into the strange new world of transformation in organizations the common judgement, I think, was that I was just weird. As for Open Space Technology that, as you all know, was a matter of two martinis. Talk about the cost of doing business:-) Regardless, I just kept following my nose. And to date, I have never missed a meal. On occasion friends and colleagues would ask what it was that I thought I was doing -- and truthfully I couldn't really say. The closest I ever came to getting "it" into words went something like this. It was my hope to somehow contribute to the business of making human life human.
Is there a lesson here? Maybe. One thing that pops out is that I never made any effort to define "community" -- or maybe more accurately my definition was about as broad as it could get -- human life, or all of humanity. Everything was connected even if I couldn't see it at the time. I have worked in Barrios and Board rooms and as far as I could see it was all the same. People being people trying to get on in the world. Some did well, some not so well, but doing well never seemed to have much to do with their station in life. Corporate presidents could appear as paupers, and beggars as kings. What I learned in one place always had application in another, and when I connected deeply with some individual that connection always led to deeper connections with others. Does this make any sense? I don't know, but it has been fun.
Harrison
Harrison Owen"

WOW!

This distilled SO much into SO few words. With this gift of wise brevity, it's no small wonder that Dad has lived a charmed life :-)

I have already incorporated some of this into my coaching. The one thing I believe many just don't get is their own, personal, unique power and influence in the world. Who cares if we're "remembered" or historically significant . . . The important is the here and NOW . . . the PRESENT! Authentic living impacts everyone in your path/wake.

Judgement and proselytizing does not have an iota's more influence on the world than a person's self-awareness and genuine contact with the world. KNOW WHO YOU ARE and BE that person, and you will positively shape your world.

My favorite quotes from above?

"It was my hope to somehow contribute to the business of making human life human."

Everything was connected even if I couldn't see it at the time.

People being people trying to get on in the world."

In the past 2 years, more people I know than ever in my sphere have died in a variety of ways . . . Tragic accidents - Disease - Sudden heart attacks - Crime victims - and (most tragic IMHO) suicide. I have been exposed to more death than ever in my life. Perhaps this has to do with my age (45) - I don't buy that one because many of these folks who have died were in the 18-45 age group. Each funeral has been a time of "Celebration of the life of . . . " . . . and each one has significantly impacted me PERSONALLY. It is VERY clear to me that we are each here for a purpose, and we are all connected, and we ALL "make a difference" . . . We are all here "trying to get on in the world."

Live your life in celebration of NOW. I least understand those folks I knew who chose to take their own lives. Those are the ones who cheated themselves out of the rest of their lives . . . out of seeing their children grow and prosper . . . and have cheated their families out of benefiting from their gifts. There is no amount of angst I can conjure up in my mind that would lead to such a draconian resolve.

I went a direction here that I didn't begin writing to go - I guess I needed to vent.

I'm here for the duration :-)

Remember - We're all in this together!

Best,

b
Barry Owen
Productivity Coach & Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills
http://www.theowengroup.net/
www.activerain.com/barryo
Simply Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!