Citizen Power

Plenty of food for thought at last night's RSA meeting to launnch a joined up thinking initiative to "create active citizenship in Peterborough" (or anywhere else). More on that here

Some of the things which struck me as I listened to the enthusiasts were:

• I loved the talk about increasing a sense of place, and unlocking the vibe of a neighbourhood. I'll be using that in the community space project I'm involved with
• I particularly identify with their view that "The programme needs to be practical so people get it and understand it". In our recent Thinking Tank debate on Social Trust, the group only really became engaged when we talked about practicalities instead of theories.
• How easy it all sounds. Get people involved, make our own decisions, save money, increase well-being. How extraordinary that we have to remember such an obvious truth.
• The people in the room still didn't represent the populace. When will we dare to include the excluded?

Peterborough I salute your intentions and wish you all the very best. For the rest of us, there are lessons here we can make use of wherever we live.

Is this what you were looking for?

In Dave Eggers book, You Shall Know Our Velocity, a startling, thought-provoking read that has had me laughing out loud on the train for the last couple of weeks the main character has just got himself to the top of a mountain near Marrakech.
"So often lately I have believed that if we put ourselves somewhere that we will be answered and there will be a reason... Because otherwise why have we come?"

He doesn't find the answer. Or even the question. Just space and silence. Sometimes I look up at that big blue sky and think... um... what exactly??

HowNow can find you answers - at least to your business issues, we're no surer than you about the meaning of life - and it works even better if you already have a question in mind. Some of the questions we've worked with recently include:

? Why are some of our best staff dissatisfied?
? What stops people using our service / product?
? What would it take to engage citizens in developing local education options together?
? What might encourage women in their 40s to change who they vote for?
? What's the common ground between these two very different cultures that we can build on to create a shared future?

There's a big blue skyful of possibilities up there... we can help get to the heart of the matter so it's clearer what to do next.

Lucky to be alive

The sky is still above my head and the ground beneath my feet.
Not all are so lucky.

So what will I do with this day I have been gifted? In my safe environment and healthy body. With my functioning brain and access to knowledge. With my heart and mind open for business?

What shall I do with such a gift?