Tonight I ventured out to a musical evening with a difference held in a local school in Leith. It was a qualifying competition organised by Leith Rotary Club for the " Young musician of the year" with 9 young people from Edinburgh Schools taking part. The audience were treated to violinists, a pianist, a flautist and a number of vocalists.

Pieces composed by Vivaldi and Debussy alongside popular favourites like 'I could have danced all night' to 'Fly me to the Moon' and 'Lullaby of Birdland' with accompaniment from dedicated teachers.

Leith Academy had an impressive turnout of 4 participants and were a credit to their school and community.

This is the 4th year of this competition and I would recommend it to you for shedding light and hope for the future on gloomy November days. I am just sorry I did not take a short video so that you could hear a snippet of the talent that was there tonight. Watch for these names in future years and as the competition goes on. Sean Kernan on flute, Richard Jackson vocalist were the winners on the night with Isla Ratcliff on violin as runner up. Imagine a Scotland full of such music making.

Watch this space for information about the Time to Take Stock Events being held in Edinburgh and Glasgow during November.

October has ended and November has begun. Have you taken stock of your October highlights? Take a few moments to do that and see what it tells you about the way you might want to start November. Imagine its the end of November and ask yourself what has been the highlights and that will help you focus on the best way to start the month!

In the current climate, there have been many endings for people and organisations but there will also be beginnings and its important to end well and to begin well.

Saying goodbye to employees who are leaving an organisation whether its voluntary or compulsory is not an easy or pleasant thing to do but sometimes it has to happen. It is an opportunity for new beginnings and often people need help to get into a frame of mind to address the future.

In fact they sometimes need a new way of seeing -a bit like visiting the optician as I did on Saturday for an eye check. A new pair of lenses or a new pair of spectacles make all the difference. Cataracts can cause a dulling of vision where things look grey. When the cataracts are removed everything is vibrant colour and its like a child seeing things for the first time.

When endings and beginnings come along we sometimes need new lenses or spectacles. I can recommend an optician - SR Hyslop at 50 Home Street EH3 0131 229 7651. Honest and a thorough professional.

If you need help to see the endings and beginnings for October /November or have the equivalent of cataracts in the way you see things get in touch with me 0131 554 9037 or mwright@resolution-scotland.com

Here is what a recent client had to say " Feeling very positive about what I can do in the future"

Today I was with neighbours who were celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary. 60 years married and lived all that time in Leith. They have seen many things come and go, like the sheep being driven along the road outside to the docks. Some might say its flat dwellers and shoppers who make their way here now. The post office delivery works well when you are the Queen and the card is from Buckingham Palace. It was delivered this morning and the time was specified and it worked!

The weather was wild and stormy outside, the perfect day to be inside celebrating with friends and family and hearing stories. Stories of weddings being arranged in a sea faring family when the ships came in, of wedding cakes being only possible because of people donating their rations.

Time to pause and reflect on 60 years committment, all the things that have changed in that time. How many brides of 60 years could still get into their wedding dresses with no problem at all! Persevere is Leith's motto and this Leith couple have certainly persevered. Imagine a Scotland where people and organisations committed and persevered as much as this. Happy 60th to a fascinating couple and wonderful neighbours.

As the wind gusts in Edinburgh today, mild tho' it is, I happen across some photos taken in the summer. They are of flowers and the garden at Inveresk Lodge, a NTS property in Musselburgh. A lovely peaceful spot where you can escape the crowds and pretend that you have just stepped out of the house to stroll around your garden. Many different plants to see, paths to wander,seats to rest in and contemplate.

Often when I ask people what they do to relax or switch off to the pressures of work/life, they tell me that they go out into the countryside. The natural world is a great gift to us and in many cases we have become remote from it.Our ancestors lived much closer to nature and I heard someone give a talk recently that suggested that mankind is designed for a hunter gatherer existence and has 'progressed/advanced' to where we are now. Read an interesting take on this in the book 'Mutant Message Down Under' by Marlo Morgan. A short and easy read wich is both relaxing and thought provoking.

I recall the TV series about 'Meet the natives' where a few members of a remote tribe visit England with great expectations and with viewers perhaps thinking "this will be a laugh-they are so primitive -how will they cope?" Of course the reality is that the so called 'natives' cope very well and the people who look uncomfortable are some of the ordinary folk around Britain whom they stay with or met on their travels. The natives are at ease with themselves and their surroundings and are of course very glad to get back home. Its interesting to note that when we are not at ease, dis ease can surface in many different ways physically and mentally. Ease, unease and disease are interesting words to ponder.

Remembering our roots and getting back in touch with nature and our environment can help in so many ways. Try it next time you feel anxious or stressed. If you cannot get out in nature, look at these pictures or indeed any images from nature and I am sure you will feel the better for it. It works for me and I hope it works for you. view images

Well-its now 2pm in Edinburgh and the sun is shining and the skies are blue. It's still blowy but it's bright! It definately feels better when the sun is shining but does it change things? It might encourage us to get up and go do all those things that we mean to do or it might make us wander off and enjoy the sunshine doing something completely different.

So what can make the difference? We can! It's how our mind works and what we think and say to ourselves that matters. It helps to talk to others too and I found that talking to some colleagues and contacts this morning really helped me to focus and to generate ideas. It's fun to work as part of a group and collaborate. It helps creativity.

So the talking is action, and the ideas can flow when we are either on our own or when we are working collaboratively with others. Here is another thought you can insert the words 'both' 'and' instead of "either" "'or" in the above sentence.

So, no matter what the weather outside, you can turn on the sunshine inside with the flick of a switch. Do it, just do it.

I just interrupted this blog to take a call from someone with some news that was not so good and as we talked with each other we agreed that " it's good to talk" We can offer each other support and encouragement and ideas on how to sustain ourselves when things get hard for us. Whether you are primarily a talker, a doer or a thinker, connect with another human being. Just do it.

Today in Edinburgh, it is a dark, wet and windy Monday-the sort of day when it is hard to get out of bed and motivate yourself. So what can we do? Here are a few suggestions - pick one that works for you.

We can look at inspiring images, we can find an inspiring or hopeful person to talk to, we can seek out or think about the things that make us smile-a young child, a cartoon, a joke.

If we feel a bit down, we can seek to help or uplift others with a kind word or gesture. The insight on my Dalai Lama calendar today is "Benefit goes to the practitioner of kindness"

We can listen to music. We can read an inspiring book. We can start by doing some little thing - do something positive. A good friend and colleague Bliss Browne once described exactly this sort of day as " great report writing weather". Is there some writing that needs done, is there a cupboard that needs cleared or a desk or room that could do with some decluttering.?

Today the volunteers who work on the paddlesteamer Waverley are preparing it for the winter by unloading and putting into store lots of items and equipment. I am hoping and praying it's dry day in Glasgow this morning for them!

No images to look at? Try here. Doricmor

No one to talk to -give me a phone on 0131 554 9037. I have just finished reading Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan for the second time and it inspired me and made me think about the lives we live today.

One of my favourite pieces of music is Harpworks by George Callaghan from Tasmania, Its a very soothing piece of music. If harp music is not your thing, coming up this weekend 24-26th October is a folk festival in Dunfermline. Tickets from 01383 725872, programme here or find out about a folk club near you. Folk Weekend Programme

So get going then, start the week and treat yourself to one or all of these suggestions in the course of the day or the week. You deserve it and you will work all the better for it.

The week ended with a last trip on the Waverley Paddle Steamer for the 2008 season. A cruise from Greenock to Arrochar, Loch Long and Loch Goil took in the autumn colours, sunshine, showers and lots of experiences as usual.

There is a community on and off the Waverley- a love of the ship and the river that binds people together. Two of this community are the treasurer of the company that keeps this whole ship afloat and his wife who, along with a team of volunteers, keeps the on board shop stocked with Waverley hats which keep people warm and raise much needed funds.

In addition to this regular community, there are people who come for the first time, perhaps the couple pictured with the rainbow. You also meet old friends. I first met Alan and Jack his son in 2004 at an event called Imagine Inverclyde in Greenock town hall. I met them again yesterday. The Waverley does that, it brings people together. Its important to introduce the next generation to the Waverley experience, so well done Alan for bringing Jack.

In additon to people, the trip offers sea breezes, views of the hills and shores - contact with the environment and provides pleasure and relaxation in a way that more modern types of travel do not. Try it - mark it in your diary for next year as a MUST DO. If you want to stretch your legs , get off at Blairmore Pier and congratulate the local people who reopened the pier, run the shops near the pier and organise events in the local hall. A lively community working together to sustain and create the things they care about.

Its goodbye to the Waverley until next year but the wee sea bus which runs from Greenock to Kilgreggan and Helensburgh is another possibility. Lots of ways to enjoy the river and the different perspectives that it offers. The Waverley and Blairmore Pier are only there because of enthusiasts who love what they do and care about their communities. Lots and lots of hard work are involved too. They deserve your support. A fund raising concert is planned for the end of November in Glasgow for the Waverley.

A great way to end the week - on the Waverley with people like the Waverley volunteers and Alan and Jack- the salt of the earth and Scotland's future. Jointhetrip

As each day brings more information about the financial and banking situation in the UK and around the world, headlines like 'Doom and Gloom spread around the world' proliferate. Stories emerge about the impact on ordinary people, their everyday lives and their plans for the future. I recall suddenly in a previous existence explaining to a workforce about to be privatised and be offered shares that " Shares can do down as well as up" Hmm.

So what can we do? Here are some advice and quotes I have come accross recently which might help or give us a clue.

" All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men and women to do nothing" Edmund Burke

"Exercising my confidence, just like my bod" " Stay confident in these turbulent times" "Of course I can see as well as anyone what's going on. Sometimes ya gotta walk away from the T.V. put down the paper. I don't need to become an expert in just how bad it feels. But I am working at seeing better than anyone else what's going on that's working" Jim Lord Read more here

"What I believe according to my own experience, is that a calm, peaceful mind is a very important element for sustaining the body in a balanced way" Today's quote from my 'Insight from the Dalai Lama' calendar

Keep saying: Keep calm, Be confident. "What's going on that's working. Find a glimmer of hope and pay attention to it" - Jim Lord again.

Join me in doing something positive this coming week, starting with today.

It's beautiful Autumn morning here in Leith-cool but sunny. Beautiful light and great reflections in the water. On my usual walk to Newhaven Harbour, I also reflected on the months of September and October. What was the highlight of your September? For me it was the birthday celebration of a colleague and friend. I have not asked them, but I guess it featured people and a place dear to them. The celebration was a joyous affair, arranged with both planning and an allowance for serendipity.It was also arranged with generosity, with people invited to stay for as little or as long as they liked, our every need catered for. There was a bit of music and dancing which added that magical touch that music always does.

Everyone mucked in with the things that had to be done and a great time was had by all. It made me think. If I was planning a special celebration, where would I chose to have it? What place would I pick? Who would I invite? What would be planned and what would be left to chance? At the end of the celebration and our time together what would I hope that people were thinking,doing and feeling?

I came away refreshed, inspired, honoured to have been asked and included. I had fun and enjoyed talking to people from all walks of life, most of whom I had not met before, or if I had only briefly. I also noticed how we got to know each other as we lived, worked and played together. Everyone had made an effort to be there, some had travelled great distances and it worked.

I do hope my friend enjoyed the creation both in the imagination, the planning and the actuality. A great example of a participative, imaginative event which came from the heart. Who would you invite and where would it be? It helps us to focus on the people and places that mean most to us?

In February I related a story about a 2 year old who understood that what you tell yourself affects the way you act. (See the 28 February entry) Here is another anecdote this time the wisdom of a 5 year old! The 5 year old had been visiting a new friend from her school class for a social engagement. The invite was being returned and the parent was concerned that the new friend was very quiet and polite and that his families three youngsters would all be too much for her. How would she cope? Discussing this with his 5 year old daughter he expressed the view that perhaps the little friend was very quiet and would it be ok? The quick reply was "Oh Dad, of course it will, she has a playground voice you know!" So at 5 we have the ability to make friends, see and appreciate them for what they are, recognise there is different behaviour for different places, and that people use different tones of voice. Young children notice everything and therefore they are experts in what brings life to a situation. They are excellent practitioners of Appreciative Inquiry. AI is simply 'paying attention' or 'noticing'. Noticing the good things and what works and brings life to a situation. Lessons for life from the 5 year olds! Much simpler, fun and to the point! Maybe they should be the teachers? Now, there is a thought for another day another blog.

A visit to Glasgow and Ayrshire yesterday brought insights into all of the above. A local butcher revealed that he was being asked questions about how to make a good steak pie from a young butcher - and the answer? Just do it and learn from the experience. It takes time. The meat, the gravy and the pastry are all key that is what makes it a winning combination. Talk to a master by all means but you have to work at it yourself was his answer to the young butcher.

Dumpling and a Grand Day Out? It was my mother's birthday and previous years have seen us enjoying wonderful sunny and warm weather in September in lovely locations as a birthday treat. Yesterday was grey with incessant rain and we began with a cup of tea to sample my less than perfect looking clootie dumpling -burnt on the bottom - it tasted fine to my relief. Further lessons needed from the master dumpling maker on amount of milk, gas setting and on both the type and tieing of the cloth or cloot! We had an errand to do at Croy Shore a beautiful location with views out to Arran. Leaving Glasgow we decided to 'just imagine sunshine' and yes, the rain stopped and there was some brightness in the sky in Ayrshire.

The Grand Day Out? An outline plan with no set times, relaxed, low key, doing things we love in places we love with people we love. After Croy, the fishing village of Dunure appeared through the mist and we sampled a coffee at the refurbished Dunure Inn, watching a wee boat arrive back in harbour. A lovely location, lovingly looked after by the Harbour Committee who have done a lot of great work there. Back home , completing a couple of errands on the way for a simple meal of things we love - yes steak pie did feature and yet another piece of dumpling!

Things in common in the recipes? Find a msster, listen, watch but most of all 'do' and learn. Do things that bring you joy,with people you love in a combination that you know works. Whatever the weather or the environment, somewhere there is a glimmer of light and if not 'just imagine it' Have a purpose or focusand take time to listen and be with a master and to appreciate them but do, do, do and be. be. be. Create your own recipes.

September sun is still tempting folks out and about. Go visit a great cafe/bistro in Newhaven with a lovely view of the Forth. An old Bank building transformed by Andrew and his sister Fiona has a great atmosphere,friendly staff and wonderful food to delight you. With an unrestricted view out to the Forth, this is a great location with tables outside too. My latest find there was Porto Fi Olive oil-direct from Sicily, driven over so that its arrives fresh. Do not miss the basement shop-the bank safe as it used to be! A different range of goodies to try. Passion shows all the way at Porto Fi-can you guess where the name comes from? Go taste that oil-its wonderful. To tempt you-here is what it looks like Porto Fi Fresh Olive Oil

Porto & Fi 47 Newhaven Mainstreet Edinburgh EH6 4NQ.

On 1 October in the Teviot Debating Chamber Bristo Squate Edinburgh at 7pm a lecture which explores the valuable contribution made to our understanding of the significance of anxiety in organisational life by Isabel Menzies Lyth,a psychoanalyst and social scientist. Tim Dartington is a social scientist and group relations consultant who has written about systemts of care and their relationship with vulnerable people. See the link below for info re the Sutherland Trust who are organising this event and also information about the lecture for which there is a charge of £18/13. See SutherlandTrust

This is not an event organised by Resolution/Margaret Wright but by the Sutherland Trust.

An earlier blog described my discovery of the big band that plays in the Argyll and Sutherland pub in Greenock. My friend -and I am honoured to be his friend, George Wyllie, told me about this place and I have now been there twice. My last visit inspired these thoughts. George and many others are passionate about music. Music is creative and it connects so many different people and enriches our lives. Its obvious that the musicians in this band are passionate about their music and if they did not express their creativity, participate and collaborate we would be the poorer for it. Audience participation is something that we might have differing views about. Maybe the audience are only required to clap or at best shout bravo! George likes participation whether its in his art of scul?ture or in conversation and sharing ideas. He also likes to participate himself and this link will take you to a piece of music that he loves called 'Jump' The band get to move about, the audience are free to move about, dance , jump and participate in whatever way they wish. George is in his 80s and I know other folks in their 80's who want to participate in whatever way they can. They might not be able to jump or dance but there are ways they can participate. Music is a great connector and brings out passion, encourages participation and speaks to us as human beings. Enjoy 'Jump'. Feel free to participate - sing, jump, dance -whatever you feel moved to do. JUMP

How did you end the month of August and also how did you begin the new month of September? Endings and beginnings are important and even if we realise that they were not planned but just happened- that is fine.

I ended August aboard the Waverley Paddle Steamer cruising to Arran - a fabulous trip that is covered in a previous blog insert. I began September with a piece of work for a group of people in a large institution who are focused on their values and want to explore and discuss individual and organisational values. An important, courageous and not always easy thing to do. Sometimes important topics are hard to 'do' - or maybe it's more correct to say 'be' in the case of values. It was great to be part of that and hopefully to 'spark' of some great conversations where people get to know and undestand and appreciate themselves, their work collegeages and the organisation they work for much better. On 2 September. I hear Professor Phil Hanlon speak about how to sustain energy levels at work. A short insightful talk with a range to things to do like meditate, take a break, exercise but will we do it? We know what to do but do not do it? Someone in the audience confirmed a culture in the workplace of long hours - 9-5 workers not required and yet we all know that this is not an effective way to work or live? Someone I know who lives their values often asks busy people 'Busy doing what exactly?' Take a moment to reflect on how August ended, September began and what you are 'busy' doing and if it reflects your values. If you want a 'spark' to help you with that conversation with yourself or with others- do get in touch as I offer coaching sessions that can help you do just that.

A magical trip on the Waverley on 31 August which started in pouring rain and finished with a beautiful sunset. We called at Largs. Rothesay and Lochranza. Great conversations on the way-we sorted Scotland out for sure! Determined to enable you all to see my wee video of the Waverley leaving Greenock for the last leg of her trip up to Glasgow. Discovered my video is too long for my current system but will find a way to share it with you before too long. In the meantime here is a shorter video 'Clyde Sunset' -the sights and sounds. Enjoy.

ahref="http://picasaweb.google.com/mewimagine/ClydeSunsetFromTheWaverley#5244858131144007602 ">Clyde Sunset

Alex Glass was the local councillor in Pollok during the period when the Greater Pollok Development Company under its Chief Executive John Watson became aware of appreciative inquiry and started learning about it and applying it in various ways. Bliss Browne and I worked with GPDC in a number of different ways. Here is what I asked him earlier this year- some 4 years after the first applications of the appreciative approach: 'I recall a story about you being impressed with the process we used and how it impacted on the way the work in Pollok was written up and presented - a positive story and approach. it would be good to hear your recollections and your thoughts re the impact.' His response follows and I am very grateful to Alex for his response. In my experience it can be very hard to get people to respond and also be preapred for their response to be quoted. The fact that Alex took the time to do this says a lot in itself before you read the content. 'There has been a fantastic transformation within Greater Pollok over the last four years. We now have an area on the move after a long number of years of stagnation. Whilst much of what has taken place had been planned prior to Bliss' involvement the change in public perception has made a big difference and this is down to people being more willing to highlight the positive and not dwell on the negative.

John Watson's report on the building bricks of regeneration being in place was the first time that anyone had looked at the potential on offer within Greater Pollok and being willing to promote it as an area that was on the road to positive regeneration.

For too long everyone was willing to play up the negatives in order to attract project funding when in fact time could have been more productively spent trying to secure inward investment that would lead to more people in work and less need for social programmes that tend to keep people involved in the dependency culture.

We are now seeing the benefit of decisions that were taken less that 20 years ago. But more importantly we have residents who are now able to see the better opportunities that are available through work.

We still have a lot to do. There are some people who need to be convinced that Greater Pollok has changed for the better. We also need to redress the balance of those in greater need of support and ensure that the appropriate services are available.

Further job opportunities are on the way and it is vital that community leaders continue to talk the area up and not continue to reflect on past failures.

If it has been sometime since you last saw Greater Pollok I am sure you will witness an area that has made a dramatic change for the better. We still have small pockets where much work needs to be done but we are now in a better position to attract the necessary investment to complete the transformation.

Greater Pollok is now a place to Work, Stay and we are working on the Play.

It was nice to hear from you. All the best

Alex

What is the highlight of this story for you readers out there? Looking ahead what would you like to see happening in the future in communities like Pollok? The questions you ask determine what you find and positive conversations and images lead to positive action.

Along with a colleague Bliss Browne and with interest and support from the Scottish Centre for Regeneration, appreciative inquiry and other innovative positive processes were used to engage with the community in Pollok in Glasgow where we worked as partners with both the SCR and the Greater Pollok Development Company ( GPDC). Here is what the Chief Executive at that time John Watson said about the experience in March of this year( the work that we did took place between 2003/4) The questions I asked John are listed along with his replies.

Why did we adopt the AI approach?

There were a number of reasons that came together,

·GPDC had been set up to be different from the other 7 Local Development Companies although that did not last, so using AI after we had been made to merge and become more like the others enabled us to remain distinctive.

· A very committed and interested board member (Lesley Wilson made the connection with Margaret Wright and Bliss and took another board member and myself to Edinburgh airport to meet Bliss so we had a board champion as well as the executive. This really was very important, although I expect we would have still had a go, I think we had far more licence.

· I liked the approach as did Sandra Inrig who was my key person at Pollok. Imagine Scotland was crucial here. We liked it for the usual AI reasons.

·We also adopted it because we wanted to try and create a space in a very crowded initiative rich environment in order to try and work out what we were going to do, and also, because despite all the initiatives, there was no real vision for Pollok, adopting this approach allowed us space to develop and include people from the community in a very different way, so we were not seen as duplicating effort, although we were – from necessity.

· No one else had done it, (in Glasgow) so we could make it up as we went along – a great attraction!

· Margaret Wright, Bliss Browne, Lesley Wilson etc were great people to work with, and gave it momentum but also credibility, we were able to get Community Scotland funding for Pollok.

What Difference did it make??

Compared to a more conventional approach it gave us

· Fun

· A very distinctive approach

· It included staff from the merged organization in a way that helped develop the new organisation as being distinctive from the two merged ones

· It enabled us to have conversations which have remained as powerful board member memories, Lesley ran a number of exercises with board members, she says that one of the most memorable conversations she has ever had was when she had an appreciative conversation with the then chair. This helped the board come together more quickly (I suspect)

· A 5-10 year view of Pollok and its future which was much more optimistic than a shorter 3 year timeframe more conventional SWAT exercise would have given. I would love to use SOAR.

· Local councillors who were able to speak about Pollok in new ways, One of them stood up at a public meeting and waxed lyrically about the area and said that this had been prompted by the GPDC work.

Notes: Imagine Scotland was a large scale gathering held in Edinburgh in April 2003 where Bliss and Margaret partnered with the Scottish Civic Forum to create a participative event where people from all walks of life shared their views of the Scotland they wanted to see and to live in in the future.

SWOT- a technique that looks at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of an organisation.

SOAR the appreciative way of looking at strengths, opportunities, aspirations and results for an organisation.

A lot of the people and organisations, e.g. GPDC, SIP, Community Forum have changed over time since we did this work but the community are still there and we did lots of work with them in a series of events which all used the appreciative mind set so many seeds have been sown.

Did you notice that suddenly last week it was autumn? A number of people around me here in Leith did. Something changes about the light, the air and the trees. Its almost imperceptible but you sense it and feel it more than anything more concrete. Last year it happened on a day in August too-a bit early we might think-is it not still supposed to be summer!? Could the climate actually be changing we exclaim after all this talk about it for so many years? Despite our apparent denial, we are part of this natural world too. We are connected to it all whether we like it or not. I had a conversation with someone last week who explained that if they wanted to relax and build up some new energy they took off into nature, into the countryside. Others might prefer going to historic buildings and museums. Sound familiar? We are all different and if only we can appreciate the differences and work with them the world would be a better place. Human beings are a living organism and part of this natural world. Increasingly I believe more people are in tune with that and are beginning to reconnect with the world and the countryside around them. Enjoy this selection of photos from the natural world which includes a wedding in the Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh. May we all get more connected with the natural world and its rhythms and flows. There is much more to the world and the laws of nature than we have realised to date but thankfully we may be becoming more aware by the moment - our future depends on it! Being appreciative of the world around us and fellow human beings allows to reconnect with them, the world and ourselves in a deeper way and in a way that is natural and in tune with the laws of nature. Enjoy the natural world thenaturalworld

A recent post on the appreciative inquiry list serve gave a link to this article which goes some way to explaining why appreciation works so well. Stephanie who posted it said this about it. 'No one enjoys being told that their behaviour is harmful to themselves or others. In fact, most people respond defensively when confronted with evidence that their behavior is irrational, irresponsible, or unhealthy. Fortunately, research has shown that just a few minutes of writing about an important value can reduce defensiveness.' Appreciative Questions and conversations are rooted in respect,interest and valueing the other person and therefore are steeped in values and valueing. Hence the positive and very different response that appreciative questions generate. The title of the article is 'Reflecting On Values Promotes Love, Acceptance' and click here to access it. sciencedaily

An artist friend Lesley Mclaren alerted us to a new cafe in Gullane. So we had to check it out under the guise of seeking some exercise of course. We appeased our conscience by a stroll and quickly headed for the cafe. My other half had a delicious raspberry creation and I had an almond brioche-not sure that we have got the proper names here! The coffee was pronounced excellent as were the eats. Very very delicious cakes and pastries. The welcome was good, even close to finishing time, unlike so many other establishments where you are told in no uncertain terms -no, please go away as we are about to close! The folks here are obviously very good at what they do and are confident in an unassuming way about what they offer. Well worth the trip to taste -they also have a place in Bruntsfield. After the calories we did a longer walk, hearing from a local resident who lives on the side of a hill that he had been flooded earlier in the week. The rain was so great that the water poured off the hill took the easy route along the road and then turned into his driveway and pured thru the house! Well, when running events I know to 'expect the unexpected' but who would expect living on the side of a hill that you would be flooded. It all goes to show that things change and we need to be prepared for the unexpected whether pleasant-like the new cafe- and not so pleasant - like the flood. Our attitudes to these events define us and I am still working on that and hope to share soem stories and tips with you. Feel free to share soem stories and tips with me too.

On Wednesday, I indulged in a wee trip on the Waverley-catching it at Largs at 12.50pm for a sail to Dunoon and Blairmore and on up Loch Long for a route reminiscent of the Norwegian fiords. On the positive side, the weather was not cold or blowy but it was wet-but not all the time! It was just great to be on the my old friend the Waverley. She needs your support more than ever this summer-with a late start to her season due to a wee repair and the bad weather she could do with a nice stream of customers. We all need to do our bit to help support this icon of Scotland and the Clyde. No matter the weather, it's so relaxing to be aboard. Tension drifts away. Overheard this trip, a small group of work colleagues who were enjoying a break and noticing how lovely it was to not be talking about work and getting to know each other better. Reminded me that someone had told me that many businesses used to do that i.e. take their employees for a sail on the Waverley as a day out. So treat yourself to some Waverley therapy. It's all natural and cheap compared to many other therapies. Its also home grown and you will be helping yourself and the Waverley and you meet a nice class of person on board. Just do it- you have either 9/10 days left to do so before she leaves the waters of the Clyde for down south. See an unusual picture of the Waverley by clicking here Waverley

David Cooperider at Case Western University is the man credited with first describing and 'discovering' that when you look at what works in a system it grows i.e. you get more of what works and even better it leads to all sorts of creative collaborations when people discover what they really care about.When you focus on what is not working i.e. the problems and try to 'fix' them, a different energy is involved and different ways of thinking and talking which can impact on your actions with not so positive and generative results.

I recall discovering that David's wife was and maybe still is an artist and in his discussions with his wife at the time he was doing his initial research, they talked about the artist's appreciative eye! I am lucky enough to know and talk with a number of artists in Scotland and to see their work. It is very varied, they have different perspectives or artist's appreciative eyes. In any situation we will find many perspectives and meet people who 'see' things differently. Try thinking of them as artists with different styles. A bit like this selection of artists here. Enjoy the images - appreciative inquiry is also about the power of inspiring images whether they be paintings or pictures in our mind i.e.imagined. Click here for different artists perspectives. artslideshow

This is for anyone from Northern Ireland or who has lived there for a time. Charles Handy has a good story similar to this about someone asking for directions. Enjoy the music of the accent, the style of communication and the different use of language but most of all just enjoy Northern Ireland. Wish my satnav had JohnJoe on it.

NIsatnav

It was December/January 2002/03 that I first came accross Rabbies trailburners. Somehow-oh so easily- a colleague and I became responsible for a drama group from Chicago coming to perform and tour in the UK for the first time with venues in London and Edinburgh. I needed a way to tranport them from the airport into Edinburgh and more specifically to Leith where they were to stay. Someone I rated mentioned Rabbies to me and without knowing what I was going to say or dare ask for, I rang them up and spoke to Derek who very quickly sussed what I was about and instantly offered it. I was gobsmacked! Derek explained that he worked and lived in Leith by choice as he recognised that here was a real, live community. He understood what we were trying to do in bringing this community drama group to Leith to perform and so Rabbies trailburners collected Scrap Mettle Soul at the airport giving them a great welcome and their all important first taste of Scotland. When I later spoke to the MD of Rabbies, Robin Worsnop, I could tell that he was a 'can do' person and that that attitude ran thru his company. Since then Rabbies has grown from strength to strength and is now a five star tour company. See more at www.rabbies.com Located in Edinburgh's High Street, they are right at the heart of the action this festival time. Go see what they do and how they do it. Imagine a Scotland with more and more companies like Rabbies who are rooted in their communities and have a heart. Rabbies

http://picasaweb.google.com/mewimagine/Bigbandnightatargyllsutherland/photo#5227056548565459298

Edinburgh has started to buzz with the jazz festival starting this weekend and the Fringe,official festival and the book festivals following on.

Earlier this week I started thinking about seasons. The season for herring and Ayrshire potatoes is July and they make a lovely yet simple meal. For dessert you could have either strawberries or raspberries as June/July is also the time for a celebration of Scottish berries in places like Blairgowrie. In February and March, if you grow rhubarb, it's the time for the fresh pink shoots which are sweetest.

Just to prove this is not all about food, May is the season for long light nights,June for Gala Days and you could go on and on - a bit like the Edinburgh festivals!

Perhaps today we have lost the sense of seasons. In supermarkets we get everything all the year round, there are now Festivals in lots of towns and villages. Yet there is something very special and 'tasty' about a fruit or food in season. A friend told me about the excitement of waiting for the arrival of the tomato season in Cuba and the sheer joy of that first taste of a tomato.

I can recall my first real taste of the Edinburgh Festival in 1980 when I came to live here and the racing about from show to show. Its a different experience now but that first taste of something in season is special and to be savoured. Appreciating something for the very first time or tasting 'as if' for the very first time is to be relished. Enjoy!

Here is a question for you. 'Tell me about a time when you tasted something for the very first time, what was it, where was it and what did you enjoy?

This week I did something I have been meaning to do for a long time. A friend had told me that there was a jazz/band music night held in Greenock on a Tuesday. I spent the day with my friend - perhaps more of that later - and then we finished the day by going along to the band night-he is a faithfull attender because he loves music and used to be a member of the band.

The session runs from 8pm until about 10pm in the Argyll and Sutherland pub in Greenocks Bruce Street. Its free and attended by folks who play music, sing and dance because they love it. Its a simple night -no airs and graces. I could see that some of the folks taking the floor knew their footwork, having learned it at the height of the big band era.

So if you love music and big bands go along to the Argyll and Sutherland in Greenock in Bruce Street and you will get a warm welcome.

listenandwatch

Lessons for life-some of the best things in life are free, friends, listening to people making music, people keep doing the things they love and sometimes you find things in unusual places and usually through folks that you know.

While visiting a school to discuss the application of the appreciative approach to discipline with a Head of Department, a pupil was sent out of class for bad behaviour.

Presented with this opportunity, the pupil was invited to sit down and talk to us. This included what had happened in class, what the pupil enjoyed about school life and life outside school and also their plans for the future. Returning to the present, the pupil was asked what they wanted to do. They wanted to ask the teacher " why do you hate me?" A great opportunity to reframe the question and explore the potential of focusing the question on what was wanted rather than what was not wanted.

The pupil was coached in how to approach the teacher, the question to ask and the importance of acting on what they heard.

What difference did it make? Here are some quotes from those involved.

Head of Department: " I have to say that your influence is continuing to work on X. X has been very good in History and there has been some carry over into other subjects."

The teacher: " I was pleased to see this pupil taking reponsibility for their behaviour."

The pupil: "I was told my attitude and behaviour in class needed to change and given details of that and I told the teacher what I wanted to happen in class." " The time in class and school pases more quickly when I behave.

What was the question the pupil asked the teacher?

Q "What can we each do to improve the situation in the classroom for both of us?"

A bit different from " Why do you hate me" and with a very different outcome.

Today I heard a description of a day in the life of a social worker in a families and childrens department where the top priority is child protection. There was much there that was not working well and it was not a fairy story of happy families. It also shed light on the lives and pressures on social workers doing this work. Despite it all, the person relating the story talked of their passion and love for their work despite the circumstances. Long days, stresses and strains, working with the bureaucracy and having to reshuffle diaries and arrangements when child protection takes priority. The story revealed the darker side of life and humna nature and what young children today often live with each day and have therefore as the building blocks of their future lives.

Yesterday was a sharp contrast to the story today. I was involved in a barbecue and family gathering to celebrate the first birthday of a little girl who is part of a happy nuclear and extended family. She was showered with gifts and love and I sincerely hope that she continues to be showered with lvoe throughout her life.

So what does appreciative inquiry have to say to us about these situations? It tells us that they both exist, they are both real, and that in each situation something works and can be built upon for the future. There are lots of people and agencies out there supporting and workign with families and children. They need whole communities helping and supporting them. We are all responsible for the society that we live in and responsible for making it a better place for the future generation to grow up in.

What one small or simple step could you take today or tomorrow that would help towards that?