Well, people are back to work and the festive season stories have been shared and its on with the show for 2009.

If you need a bit of a spark to revive that energy of a new year arriving then enjoy this great video taken by a friend and colleague Desmond Ryan from his flat and sent with a New Year greeting. Both the words and the image are spot on - enjoy! Desmond is an inspiration to me with his thoughts, words and the images/metaphors he uses. May they inspire you today and the thought sustain you throughout the year.

"May 2009 have an exciting start, bring lots of colour and light into your life - and not so much smoke! Happy New Year from Edinburgh."

The video last for 4 sparkling moments.

New Year Fireworks Edinburgh

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"

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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?

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.

I have mentioned before my F words - not the Gordon Ramsay one but

Focus Feedback Follow up

This morning I had a conversation with a good friend that was so much fun! There they are - another two F words.

Friends Fun

He made me laugh and we sparked off each other with ideas and future plans. Another conversation is in the offing.

Appreciate and thank God, if you are comfortable with that, for friends, especially ones who give you energy, ideas and the motivation to act on them. Looking forward to more friends, more fun and more conversations - and maybe more F words of the appreciative kind.

Choice in language is important. As we said in lesson 1 'its a moral choice'

Here is another example from the world of sales. yesterday I received a call from someone in the business of selling advertising copy. They explained the 'deadlines' and as they explained the publication date and the various deadlines for both booking the space and sending the copy I could feel my heart sink and my head ache-my desk and life are full of deadlines of various kinds and oh how the year is speeding on!

My mind discovered another thought, one I had read somewhere. What if we change the language to 'lifeline' not 'deadline'. Not only is that a more attractive word but it also releases different feelings,energies and action. I do indeed want to advertise in this publication as it will let people know the products on offer and it will hopefully increase sales-all things I am focused on. So in fact this sales call was "throwing me a lifeline" by reminding me of the weeks passing by and that if I am to increase sales then I can plan now for that publication date which is indeed a lifeline! Change the language and notice the way your body and mind react. Mine certainly did. Try throwing someone a lifline today and inviting them to catch!

Last week I had a practical lesson in appreciative inquiry-not at a seminar but while someone was testing my hearing. I was impressed by the process and the facilitator in that they were both professional and slick-in the nicest possible meaning of that word.

At the end of the test, I was told there was indeed some hearing loss. A bit of a shock-'So I am deaf after all -its not my husband that mumbles!' 'No' said the gentleman-'you are hard of hearing' He went on to add 'and its funny that a lot of people who sit in that chair say that friends and family mumble! '

How did it feel? Not too good to be told that something was not working and that it was only likely to get worse. I noticed the choice of words 'hard of hearing' -they do sound nicer than 'deaf'! Language is important and as Bliss Browne says 'Language is a moral choice'

I once impatiently told someone after repeating information and shouting a number of times 'you are deaf!' Their reply was salutory and in the form of a clever question which turned the situation around. The question? 'Margaret, your mother is deaf is she not?' I replied in a puzzled tone 'yes- but what has that to do with it?' 'You love your mother don't you?' was the follow up question. Enough said-the point was well and gently made.

Yes, a simple question framed in the right way, can change things. That for me is the joy of appreciative inquiry. In the process of asking questions you, and whoever you are conversing with, are reminded afresh of what is really important.

Try it yourself and see the situation and the feelings change in the twinkling of an eye.

In a bid to get some exercise and to practice what I preach re taking time to enjoy life and notice what is around me I often walk to Newhaven Harbour. This morning it was simply a stunning morning with the sun shining and the sky very very blue. Everyone I met was in a good mood! Enjoy my morning walk with me by linking to the photos I took on the way. I missed the early bird catching the worm-seriously -it was right in front of me on the path but I saw it too late to capture it except in my minds eye. Share my morning walk, enjoy the local park, the gardens, the old and the new businesses - Facts and Figures my accountants for many a year and people who undertsnad people and relationships -and of course facts and figures! Enjoy Masons Bakery products as I did for breakfast when I got back home-another day it will be Porto Fi on the opposite corner - a new business in Newhaven but run by a brother and sister team who also understand relationships and that quality involves hard work. Enjoy the harbour at Newhaven, the old and the new restaurants. Sunshine and flowers make a difference but the things that make the most difference are places and people. Discover Newhaven past and present- home of the Great Michael and 'Bow Tows' - what are they?-go find out. Newhaven is a good example of how to take the best of the past on into the future. Old and new-residents and businesses need to learn to live and work together and appreciate each other. More on that live and work theme tomorrow. Walk with me by using this link. My Morning Walk Slideshow

An innocent question and one I asked this morning when I rang up the Scotmid at Tannochside to report a 'happening' that I wanted the manager to know about. I started my conversation with him by saying that I wanted to give him a good start to the week by offering some positive feedback. I was not ringing to complain as he might have expected. To my surprise he replied that he did not get many complaints because they worked hard as a team to get things right and if they went wrong they pulled together as a team to work through it. As someone who focuses on the positive and offers team discovery and development sessions I was delighted to hear that. The 'happening' that I was calling to record? Arriving in the area for ongoing work that involved travelling early in the day, I often stopped at Scotmid for supplies. This particular morning I decided to close my eyes for a short moment of rest before reporting for duty at an organisation nearby. Two members of Scotmid staff passed by and were worried that I was ill. I assured them I was fine and thanked them for their concern. This was what I fed back to the manager. He also went on to tell me why his staff might take a close interest in the car park, (I will not repeat that here in case it gives people ideas) suffice it to say that out of some negative things come good things. So the questions we ask are important both in their intention and in their tone,( try the one in the title of this piece in different tones). Feedback is important too and the positive kind motivates us and lets us know our efforts are worthwhile. Actions which arise out of negative situations can have positive outcomes. We can 'pay attention' or look for negative and positive things around us. In fact it may well be useful to be aware of both - its those two words again 'both' 'and'. What will you focus on today and this coming week and month? Something that can appear quite negative can bring a positive result. What situations, negative and positive, have you benefitted from this month of June and what positive results have you experienced?

I recently commented to a local butcher that I thought his beef stew was a bit chough! He replied calmly that I should let him know if there was anything that was not right and then added that the stew needed slow cooking. That set me thinking and twice now I have taken care to cook his stew long and slow as opposed to my usual style of cooking which is fast and a bit harsh to be truthful. Guess what -it made all the difference, the stew was great! Well there is more than stew needs slow careful cooking-lots of things in life need care,attention and time. Working with communities does if you want to build up trust, bringing up children does too. Is there something that you would like to be better in the future-try some careful, long slow cooking.

Folks in the UK might think I have gone mad but no-this is Mothers Day in the USA and I think mothers deserve to be celebrated and thanked on more then one day in the year anyway. After all they give us life and love and certainly in my case they give me wisdom and hope- and hey, in todays world we could all do with more of these things could we not? So today, whether your Mum be physically with you or not, be she on this earthly plane or another, thank her. Something I read this morning said 'Nothing touches a child like a mother's love' If this is not your experience of your mother, then think of someone who embodies/d the best of being a mother for you. I say this because in conversations over the years people have told me that their relationship with their mother was not one that they wanted to dwell on. So today, thank your mother or your 'mother figure' and say Happy Mothers Day-American accent is optional!.You might like to look at this web site that a colleague in the States has set up. www.ubumama.org. It is beautiful! Check it out! Just in case anyone reading this is in Chicago you can go to St. James Cathedral (Wabash/Huron) at 4 pm on Mother's Day for a great benefit concert and party for Ubumama with singer/songwriter Claudia Schmidt. The Ubumama garments will be on display and it will be your last chance to see the magnificent Keiskamma Altarpiece which leaves North America the next day to return home to South Africa. Ask people you know ' Tell me about a time when your mother's or a mother's love touched your heart?' Happy mothers day to day and every day.

Here are the words of someone who has worked in and for communities all their life. has worked hard and knows what works.'We, that's our joint groups have been trying so hard to get the peoples voice, not only heard but acted upon. I feel we need to persuade Government officials (civil servants) that we are not a threat to them or their jobs, that we simply want a better quality of living. We want our communities saved before it is too late, as the communities are our legacy to the people who come after. We are trying so hard to share a community facility for the good of all, and in doing so give the people something back to call their own, as after all they are ones who invested themselves to form that community. Sad though, is the fact that x organisation want it all to themselves and they already have the majority of community assets in the particular area. Nice to hear from you anyways as in a strange way your email gave a bit of that illusive element, encouragement to me, which helps to keep me going. I have attended regeneration events both at home in the UK and in Europe noticing the great differences. I feel our civil servants in Scotland lack maturity, confidence and conviction that they have the power to change gear and implement real regeneration. They mostly lack vision. Shame when we were once noted as quixotic by nature.'

Note the key words in this thought provoking piece. Better quality of life, communities are our legacy to the people who come after. Share, give back, invested themselves ( not money!)Encouragement.

Lesson in applying appreciative inquiry and encouraging listening and action. The last paragragh of the quote says what Scotlands civil servants lack. Here is another way to say the same thing that will get people to pay attention and do something about it in my view. In answer to the question 'Its 2009 in Scotland what is happening reference civil servants and government? How are they thinking acting and feeling? Answer: 'They are confident, act with maturity and conviction. They are changing gear and implementing real regeneration. They display and voice clearly a vision of Scotland's future. They embody the best characteristics of Scotland's past eg quixotic , etc as they talk and act. What are the best characteristics as displayed by Scotland in the past? Tell us please what you see and know? This is very relevant for people who are born and bred in Scotland and also those who have come to live here and call it home. Over to you.

The sun has just come out here in Edinburgh and its 12.40pm on the 1st of May. How did you start the day? How have you started this month of May?-a time when traditionally Scotland is at its best. However with changes in the climate that has not been the case for a few years but I am focused on May being a great month for weather, for work and for life. For me that means bright days with great light which changes throughout the day, doing work I enjoy and that makes a difference and being paid for that work on the basis of its value to others and its impact. In terms of life - well to live it fully and be aware simply how lucky I am to be alive. I heard three stories in April which featured breast cancer - or I should say three stories about three amazing individuals and how they lived or are living their lives. That is what defines us is it not-how we live our lives? So this May, enjoy the environment which is there to support and refresh us, focus on what gives you joy in your work and live life to the full this day and every day this month. If we do that for May then it is much easier to do it every day. Have a merry month of May. Question of the month. What is the best that can happen this May?

Last year I made contact with some colleagues around the world. We had not been in contact for some time and I asked them some appreciatively framed questions as a way of helping us catch up. One of them is based in Pakistan and the earthquake there featured in the reply as did news of their family. We discussed what happens to the appreciative approach in times of trauma like an earthquake. This is someone driectly involved through there work in helping. Here is the reply to my question 'what was the highlight of last year. 'Responding to the disastrous earthquake, impact was so devastating that we are still struggling to get people recover from this huge shock. The loss of lives, livelihoods and loss of or damage to homes and assets as well as the loss of employment, coupled with the shock and fear caused by the earthquake, resulted in a state of absolute chaos and trauma in the affected areas.' The thing that gives me a lot of satisfaction was that although these communities were extremely traumatized in the initial stages, they demonstrated a strong sense of independence, resilience and cohesion in recovering from this disaster. To me, this capacity of communities represents one of the most important assets that they ever had. This is very encouraging and I am very happy to see these signs of life, hope and continuous engagement.' So what can we learn from this situation for our own lives and the lives of our communities? Here is my colleague: 'I've learnt being patient, hopeful, and never letting go the struggle to improve even when you've lost everything you had.' 'I value my contribution of working along side these people for their recovery. I really felt that I am making a meaningful contribution which is very visible and noticeable. Job is one thing and satisfaction is another. I put extra effort than what is required from me, to satisfy my notion of helping those who are in desperate need. Never in my professional life, I was this much satisfied and happy with my work and my achievements.' Looking to the future, I asked my friend what he wished were for the future? 'I am fully charged with this experience and I've learnt how one can get satisfaction from the job/work. I will continue to serve the needy and impoverished with more zeal and enthusiasm in the times ahead. My contributions have been fully acknowledged by my organization and people around me, which is extremely encouraging for me.' Some questions for us to ponder in the communities where we work and where we live (or as we would say in Scotland ' where we stay') Where do you see signs of independence resilience and cohesion? Where do you see signs of life, hope and continuous engagement? When have we or the people who work with and for us put extra effort in? Were those efforts appreciated and acknowledged? I would be interested to hear your replies.

People often ask me this and here is how I once described it. It's participative, its creative, it gives people hope and releases their imagination and creates possibility. It creates a safe space and atmosphere for people to give of their best, to talk about what they care about and to receive support from others there to take these ideas and dreams forward. Imagine events are created usually with a partner who has the same vision but is not sure how to 'do' it i.e. run an imagine event or how to get to a desired future. Imagine events work well when they are co created by partners who each contribute what they do well and between them create something neither would have been able to create on their own. They have spontaneous elements to them as well as questions, creativity and conversations. They have processes that allow people to engage and to get to know lots of people in the room fast. The Imagine process was created by Bliss Browne of Imagine Chicago who first used Appreciative Inquiry in a regeneration context with young people playing a key role. It has been copied all over the world. Sometimes you can find things in unexpected places. Tomorrow I will tell you where I have observed amazing 'events' which have been co created and demonstrate many of the above ingredients. They are not in places you might expect to look. Till tomorrow.

In the world of appreciative inquiry, beginnings are very important. How you start a conversation, how you start an event, determines so much of what follows. So this morning having risen early, the porridge bubbling on the gas, I reached into the fridge for the carton of cream and within seconds the cupboard, the kitchen floor and me were displaying spots of cream. My husband did ask in a calm voice - 'How did you do that?' I do not know how I did it-somehow the carton touched a cupboard door ever so slightly and from that point it was effortless! So clothes in the washing machine and mopping of the floor began and I focused on another task. I have just been outside to hang out the clothes and leaving the back door open, the wind caught the door and a panel has fallen out of the door - again effortless. Interesting that the back door does have a hook to hold the door and I did not use it. Also, something sitting behind the door would have stopped me using the hook anyway. I have now moved the offending object and tested the hook-it works fine and propped up the panel which fell out of the door and thought - another piece of maintenance requiring to be done! Someone placed that hook there with foresight but that someone cannot make me use it. I have to work that out for myself and just do it. Usually after the damage is done but not always. Do not panic, I will let you know where I plan to go today and you can avoid that place if you so wish. As Benjamin Zander the inspirational Orchestral Conductor says when mistakes happen 'How fascinating' I may let you know how the day ends, I shall focus on that right now.

Playing with some young children at the weekend we moved on from an imaginary picnic on a cloth on the floor to something more active and the wee boy wanted to play with his train set. He pulled out the box and emptied all the pieces of track etc on the floor. I looked at them in dismay and felt daunted. I said, 'David, I do not think I can do this'. Quick as a flash and with a smile he said 'Tourse you tan' in a voice of utter confidence and encouragement. So what you might say-but David is not yet three years old and I could hear not only his father's words but his father's tone of voice too in that response. Just goes to show how important the early years are. What we say and how we say it in front of youngsters is key, if only more people realised that, believed it and more importantly acted on it. So next time you feel daunted just tell yourself 'Tourse you tan' like David.

Last week at this time I was about to leave for Fife to attend an unexpected social event. It was a concert by Her Majesty's Royal Marines Scotland at Carnegie Hall. The good news was it was a great concert-more shortly on that but the bad news was that this was the day they started taking down the tolls at the Forth Road Bridge. What was to be a relaxing social event started with a traumatic journey which only goes to show that the best laid plans of mice amd men...Despite all the efforts of the organisers for a seamless, well organised occasion,they could not control the external factors. People in our party arrived a bit frazzled to say the least but were put at ease by the organiser who displayed great skills as a host and attended to the needs of his guests in a calm manner. Of course you might say this is what you would expect to see in a senior member of Her Majesty's forces but still to be appreciated never the less. They do say that the real test of character is what someone does when things go wrong or go in an unexpected direction rather then when they go according to plan! The concert revealed a group of individually talented musicians as displayed in the solos and the ability to make great music together in a varied programme which included the Best of the Beatles, Windows of the World and Hymn to the Fallen. A very relaxing and inspiring occasion which caused me to reflect on what amazing 'beings' humans are. Here we have a group of people of all ages,sensitive and skilled musicians who also have to face challenging times and make difficult decisions in the field of battle. My mind did wander in the concert to what unlikely companions musical skills and fighting skills are and yet history shows that they were and still are combined. I discovered last week for example that the role of this band is to act as casualty handlers and that some of them will be carrying out that role very soon! Human beings are amazing in the range of skills and abilities they offer. Lots of 'doing' and lots of 'being' in that Band. Give a thought and an appreciation for all their endeavours on whatever 'theatre' they next appear - entertainment or war. Give a thought to the leader who can handle the unexpected and still focus on his job and his guests. Bravo! If you would like to sample the music the next concerts at the Carnegie Hall are on 13th March and 10th April tickets available from Carnegie Hall Box office 01383 314000. Enjoy.

On Tuesday I was in the Scottish Borders on a dismal day with mist, incessant rain and everywhere you looked it was grey. A dreich day as we would say here. Once up North,I recall commenting to some tourists of my disappointment that they were seeing a beautiful area on a bad day of mist and rain and they smiled and said-'we get sunshine everyday where we come from , we do not come to Scotland for sunshine, we are enjoying seeing the hills in the mist and rain!' Yesterday, Wednesday I was on the Clyde Coast in Greenock and Gourock and the weather was stunning. A crisp day with blue skies and brilliant sunshine. Ben Lomond was covered in snow with the top clearly visible and the River Clyde and the surrounding hills at their best. I love both these areas and know them well in both light and dark days. I know what the scenery looks like and even in the dark days I can visualise how it looks in the sunshine and that lighter times will come and transform everything. People are transformed by light as well as places. Watch how moods change on a sunny bright day. In the darkest of days, we know that light will come. Remembering the sunny days can see us through the dark days and by focusing on the light we can get energy and motivation to keep going or to do what needs to be done. Artists appreciate light, we are all affected by it. Focusing on and looking to the light can transform places and people.

As January ends and the month of February begins, what are your feelings? Relief that January is gone , concern that already the first month of 2008 has passed so quickly-or perhaps it feels slow to you? Here are two ways to think about this change over point. What have you been grateful for in the month of January? Perhaps its people dear to you or places or events. Who or what did you appreciate in January 2008? More importantly, did you express the gratitude or appreciation? According to Tal Ben Shahar a Professor at Harvard University who regularly lectures to 900 students of the subject of happiness, expressing gratitude helps to counteract stress- and of course is rather nice for the people you express the gratitude to! The way you start something is very important. How did you begin this month of February? If you are concerned that the New Year resolutions seem to be slipping then set out this month to do two things that will move you forward towards your aim. Focus on the end of February and ask what you will be doing, saying and feeling at the end of this month. I will be doing that too. What is the best that can happen? Tell others what you plan to do and ask them to encourage and support you. My quote for today on my desk calendar from the Dalai Lama is ' When I consider the lack of cooperation in human society, I can only conclude that it stems from ignorance of our interdependent nature.' Have fun expressing gratitude, focusing on your aims for February and cooperating and helping others.