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...
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
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 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....
Sunday, October 18, 2009
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
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
Thursday, October 15, 2009
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!
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!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
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!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
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...
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...
Friday, October 9, 2009
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