'Tis the season....

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?