We did it!

There is no doubt in my mind that we would be able to run the Appreciative Inquiry workshop that we were tasked to do...but as Chris said, what we ended up with at the end was beyond our expectations! Despite the various challenges of having to perform while storming and norming and even informing, and the deficit-based thinkers who until the end tested my ability to be patient and appreciative myself...we closed the workshop with a positive bang!

Dani describes the opening well in his blog, so I will not elaborate on it further here. But as someone who truly believes that the opening is what sets the stage for any gathering, the workshop opening really made a difference. It helped everyone visualize what the context in which we were having the workshop itself, forcing us to look beyond the horizon, to see the whole rainbow.

It took a considerable amount of energy to make create the space for creativity to spring up and grow. With each negative comment and deficit-based remark I would feel my energy being drained, pulled, and in some cases crumpled. But our team really managed to also absorb the positive energy illuminated by the stars who believed in creating dreams beyond any doubt and in doing whatever it takes to make those dreams come true.

So thank you Oji, Martha, Masnia, Saminda, Rully, and Emank for reminding us of what is important and meaningful. Neither of you faltered under the dark clouds that some participants simply chose to continue to carry over their heads. You let your rays shine through and I want you to know that ultimately, you are the reason why Inspirit does what it does.