Conversation Week

Posted by Helen on: 03.26.2007 /

Elaine, who helps Jim with Off The Map administration, sent me a link about “Conversation Week” recently, which evidently is March 25-31.

I went to the Conversation Week website a couple of days ago expecting to find a list of events for this week. I didn’t find that, but was interested to see their list of guidelines for the conversations they want people to have:

  1. Open, without embedded cultural, political or ideological assumptions.
  2. Inviting both head and heart. People can respond with both their feelings and their thoughts.
  3. Honest. It has not already been answered conclusively — yet finding an answer is crucial to moving forward.
  4. Experiential. People can if they choose tell a story or recall an experience that relates to the question.
  5. Inclusive. Anyone at the table could have something valuable to say — whatever age, race, gender, education level.
  6. Generative. Can’t be answered with a “yes” or “no” or a platitude.
  7. Relevant. Even though broad, applies to many of the real issues we each and all face.

I also like their list of ten suggested questions, which have a lot to do with MTWABP (making the world a better place). Even though I didn’t do anything to get officially involved in Conversation Week, maybe we can discuss one of their questions today in honor of it. Here’s one:

When do you feel most alive?

African American preacher and ethicist Howard Thurman said “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

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