Zagreb, the Capital City of Croatia October 7th, 2009 8:29 AM Chocolate and coffee.

What does chocolate and coffee have to do with leadership? Well its about recognizing thatwe must do some self-care. After 15 hours of travel, this morning I am awakened before dawn to the back and forth swoosh of brooms and buckets of water splashing--'see my land lady is very clean. When her arm finally weakens and she retreats for her morning coffee--the bells begin to toll on my very soul. Collectively--4 churches in 1 square mile ring--it is only 6:45AM. What is the significance of the time---any one know? I have justified the chocolate--tomorrow morning I will have yogurt!On the forefront: Today I meet with Miroslav Wranka---a journalist who writes for www.mediapositiva.hr, a web site on postive lifestyle. I will also meet with Ana Milin who owns a business consulting firm that is very progessive in their approach: Gate To Reform. Web site: www.g2r.hr. The Golden Gate Bridge is used in the press and media section' --check it out! MentorsI am beginning to get emails from woman who want mentors--last request is from a young lady who wants to be a firefighter!Love, Diana

____________________________________________________2nd day in Zagreb

I have yet to find a connection-unsecured wireless-- and have been too busy to search for Cafe.

I no longer stay in hotels where everything was so readily available. I like it like this better--I am immersed in community life. 'Ok enough rhetoric.The Happenings The interview went well with Miroslav. He ask al the right questions--how do you want the Croatian woman to support this effort? : By becoming involved--I want them to know that they all have something to contribute that they can make a difference regardelss of socio economics or education.

What do you wish for them? To recognize their self-worth. This was monumental for me because I had held back--afraid to be shut out--now I realize that when I use my voice I speak for many who are afraid of the same repercussions.

Ana Milin of HR2 will serve as an advisor and help in the development here in Croatia. She has wonderful qualities-relaxed-very intelligent, beleives in the humanistic approach to developing people and is open to change. Dina a professor at the university of Electronics--a scientist and member of European Union intergration for scientific progress is interested in helping take WGLI to Brussels-- the seat of the Union for support and future development.

What does this mean? We must finish developing structure for each area of org. I have been staying at a vacant apt she owns that overlooks many cafes, lively pubs and a busy market place. Chocolate also played an important part of todays progress--homemade with chili added--nice

Today i am leaving Zagreb headed for Rijeka moving towards the bus. I have the curiclum in hand--two ladies,one an ex-patriot and the other a professional trainer who is thrilled to do this work will meet me next weekend! checking out!

As I leave Croatia (Hvartska)...

I am home now in California I left Croatia and the many woman who believe that they will make a better life for themselves and their community. They are brave-they hope, they are stepping into creating possibilities.

Hope can often be seen as a risky endeavor. Are we not worth the risk?

Investing in Woman is not a risk. The benefits outweigh any and all criticism, skepticism and false doubt. Woman invest in their families and communities.

Groups of woman willing to create a community of support are forming all over Croatia. (workshop dates will post on web site). By years end there will be hundreds who will realize that they have something to offer.

We have over 5,000 hits on the web site, two TV interviews airing next week and more exposure and attention to woman's leadership development that we had hoped for!

I connected with the Rijeka team yesterday. I spoke with Snezjana Traunkar who was interviewed last week by Hvartska Uzivo for her contribution in a legal clinic for victims of domestic violence. She reported that they are meeting for the third time on Monday to talk about what each has accomplished in the last month and what are the next steps. They will be interviewed by Dobro Jutro (Croatian morning show) where they will share their experience in leadership development with WGLI, and more importantly their hope for woman's leadership in their country.

Snezjana confidently told me not to worry that
everything will come in time--as we need it.

Blanca Hatibovic tells me we must dream a little.

I have hope...

D.

A push to move forward: heightened awareness equals dialogue

I reached Zagreb the capital city of Croatia (Hvartska) and find that Jelena Mikin our volunteer PR agent and Lilli my dear friend who makes sure I follow directions and nothing gets lost in translation--have been hard at work.


Jelena sent out several announcements and I was interviewed by Monica Bradaric at Dobro Jutro--Good Morning Show.This lady has a heart for womans issues and recognizes the need for leadership. She will interview wkshp participants to include in the show. Hvala Monica!


Hvartska Uzivo-Anita Bilic--Novinarka will air interview Wednesday 16:00-4PM--Woman Leaders. Her idea stems in part from the fact that we are in Croatia trying to develop community leaders among many personal convictions she has as a woman. Among those interviewed is a hopeful presidential candidate Vesna Pucic leader of political party HNS, a mother of four from Split--yaka zenski/strong woman, myself and one other lady. Anita thank you for believing!

The formal presentation was last night. All in all it was alright--as many of you know I am ambitious and my vision for this organization and our work in the world sometimes can takeover--I become somewhat over zealous--I expected more people. But as many will tell you we must start and believe that those present are also pioneers!!!


Ivana Cop--opened the session, Jelena Bozic told of her struggle for employment and how difficult it is has been--adding that development is necessary. Sonia Bayer, worked the power point and share the importance of mentorship and how this has helped her. My Lilli helped in the interpretation. Vedrana came to support us all!!!

Awareness is being created and thus the dialogues begins a new age of woman!

There is something in the air!

The night before I leave the island I feel odd--unburdened and very light, as if I had lost twenty pounds; my equilibrium is off--a weird sense of space. Intuitively I know that something is coming.

On the mainland Jerko a new friend, and fellow philosopher greets me. We sit to have coffee, an automatic door opens and we enter--it continues to swing. 'Those are my ancestors--they are all here I tell him--he looks a little uncomfortable. An ash tray hits the floor and crashes--"my father he is laughing' he has a good sense of humor!' I notice a man with a comical smile-- long blond hair cascades and falls to his shoulders. As we exit I turn--looks at me and smiles "something is in the air". Yes' I respond

Jerko takes me to Nova Akropola--a cultural/philosophy centre, then we walk along the sea. We sit on a bench to take in the sun and ponder life's mysteries. A beautiful boy-with developmental disabilities approaches me--he takes my hands and kisses them--then we count the money in his pockets--he is bright. He kisses my hands and face many times. I look at Jerko--surprised yet grateful "this is what I encounter-affirmations that I am being guided".

Something is in the air...

A haze in the distance

I escape for a much needed respite to the island of Hvar-a big storm approaches as I set foot on the island. This is where it all started--my unrest, a knowing that change was coming and that I would return.

On this island one can find peace and one can feel alone. Two days of rain--too much time on my hands--I am forced to rest and ponder.

The sky clears; I sit on the shore. A lonely fisherman passes--a day to seize-the sea is a translucent mirror--he moves towards and away from the shore searching--each time closer. I notice that a haze in the distance masks a distant coast--I can see mountains--they seem to rest on the water.

I recognize this horizon--this land, it is my story , our story...

We search, often restlessly, for the answers-- often times unable to see.
It is in rest and contemplation when we are able to see--the horizon...

The Magic Formula

Bring together woman who are seeking; looking for meaning, wanting to develop themselves and who have conviction for for helping others. Provide a safe space; the ability to recognize personal value and strength. They will discover the threads that connect them as woman and will form a community of support, where they are able to collaborate and make an impact!

The Rijeka Leadership Team

Our first workshop. The vision has now taken form. Tangible results--real action, discovery and has taken shape and has found its way into the hearts of 13 brave woman!
Jadranka, Tatjana, Maya, Blanka, Snjezana, Ana, Maya, Ivana, Vlasta, Gordana, Ivanka, Jelena, Vedrana, and assit's/trainers Dusica, Jill and Natasa.

Brave woman because they took risks. We spoke of emotional intelligence sharing our vulnerabilities, of indirect aggression acknowledging how we underhandedly harm each other as woman..

The introduction of Indirect Aggression left us speechless. Little by little ( malo po malo) each woman spoke of her experience. I must admit it was a challenge to monitor what was going on--the room roared with conversation. A GOOD sign

At the conclusion of the two days we reviewed each area of development. We spoke about what we valued in leaders and identified how our values are directly connected. We reviewed how to best use our emotions and what we must not engage in--gossip, shame, blame and discrediting other woman--to name a few if we were truly to build a community.

Each woman shared her vision--what it looks like, identifying the feeling and seeing the impact.

Currently
They discovered that the main concern is woman's employment. Together they will form an initiative. EU has project funds available for this. Two unemployed--an engineer and kindergarten teacher, three young lawyers and a wonderful lady who works at the unemployment ofc whose vision it is for every woman to have a job--form a dynamic team

The others are engaged in promoting organization and the next workshops!

Closing--With knowledge comes responsibility and initiative.

Sve es dobro--everything is good....

The day after-the wind is blowing and taking with it the ashes.

The day after--the wind is blowing and taking with it the ashes. Bura is called the cleansing wind.

It is the day after--the seminar has taken place. All my worry and unrest has dissipated and in its place rest a renewed sense of hope and energy. The curriculum was outstanding--the impact impressionable.

The woman I worked with represented diverse interest--each discovered that in their experience laid their strength. As we--because I too learned a great deal--climbed the precipice we found an expansive horizon--hues of gold, blue and rose---light from within.

We spoke of vision, we considered promise, we planned for tomorrows...

Outcome. WE REALIZED THAT WE HAVE MUCH TO CONTRIBUTE AND WE OUR HONORED TO STAND IN THIS TRUTH.

Diana

He tells me his story

Sugars level low and no where else to go. I am dangerously hungry, at the point of loosing my direction. It is getting darker now. I find a hotel with restaurant. My waiter apx 24 comes back and forth to the table-a little nervous finally he asks me --what business you do here.

He recognizes me from an article or something. He folds his hands as if to prepare-`madam let me tell you about my people. My friends were not allowed to play with me because I am honest. I tell them that they should not allow anyone to steal from them especially the government--there parents tell them to be quite--they are afraid to do something.

He tells me that he knows what I am doing--he tells me not to give up--that there are more woman here and they make less--this is crazy--you will help with this--dont give up--he continues to give me more history and data to build his case for our programs--I am in shock and begin to tear up. He retreats and lets me gather myself.

Finally he returns and tells me not to worry--he will email everyone he knows--he turns around as he walks away and tells me Now i will turn on the lights so you can see...

Dubrovka the deli girl I see everday tells me that she wants to be Eva, Ana-- something else--I can, she asks--I answer yes Ms. Eva!

Update: Rijeka, Croatia. October 13, 2009

Sometimes this blind faith can bring to my knees!

Challenged by cultural differences and a host of symptoms related to a longer history that one can ever imagine is one thing--try keeping the faith in the unpredictable.

Ok' I hear you-- we don't know what will occur from one day to another--so relax Diana.

I arrive and there are 6 applications for the workshop--we need 20--of course I tend to be ambitous and feel as if I will drown. I feel this is our chance to really prove ourselves.

Then I get an email from a lady in Zagreb--I think she works in a shop.

Dear Diana I have been intrigued by female leadership in current society for many years. From Margaret Wheatley to her Berkana Institute. She goes on to say she cannot attend.

My point? Well these are the woman who hold me up—keep me going!

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October 14 Rijeka, Croatia

There are 3 trainers coming from towns 1 1/2 hours away. They want to teach and are excited about prog.

One lady, Jill Benderly an expatriot dean of overseas study prog abroad explains the open space philosophy she expereinced in Africa. Who ever belongs in the circle will be present. I beleive.

____________________________________________________________________________________

I

Via Positiva—the newsletter that highlights positve methods and is most appropriately sent out on Monday—wrote about org. Dare to read—it is in Croatian. The link is: http://www.mediapositiva.hr/Default.aspx?sid=9162

Miroslav Wranka below.-- He is obviously a visionary.

He and his wife Irena are enriching the lives of Croatians with positive media—this the name of their org.

Thank you to Media Positiva!

Miroslav Wranka

Setting an intention!

Setting an intention. It sounds a little airy fairy--but is it not like setting a goal?

Well, yesterday before leaving the capital city--which took about 3 hrs. due to last minute calls that led me to 3 additional stops. I told a woman that she invite at least 4 friends that we would arrange for a formal presentation in the city--on November 2--I had no idea--though I did feel convicted about what I was saying. A conscious decision.

As I made my way to pick up luggage to leave, yet again. I get a call from Lili, an architect who now is a EU interpreter and makes chocolate with her new found love-Walter. Good chocolate! She wants me to meet a friend--Jelena.

I tell her the story and before I know it she is taking notes to do the marketing, arrange for presentation, and ask me for bibliography--she wants to have books that reference curiculumn--after several questions--she looks a me and says she will come to workshop to observe-she must develop a good sense of this prog if she is to prepare info for media--she tells me that this is all for now--a good beginning.

As I get ready to leave and she tells me everything feels like it is flowing--this is good.
I thank her and think my God!

My lesson--set an intention, visualize what you want to see develop, and beleive in this...