To my colleagues: First allow me to apologize to those nearly 60 people who expressed interest, enthusiam, and support for our vision of a nearly simultaneous international books conversation. I tried 4 different listservs (2 major, 2 minor), and was unable to receive the guidance and support I felt was essential to bring this vision into reality. I was also having problems with my own ISP, or rather the phone company (thanks, AT&T!) for losing connection more than 14 times in less than 12 months. I knew e-mails were dropping off, both read and (presumably) unread. So I also offer an apology to those who were expecting a never-received response. I was not able to envision success with at least seemingly such a rocky road instead of a "superhighway." I feel really sad about this. Perhaps sometime in the future, if AT&T modernizes its equipment in my area, and if can find a responsible/accountable listserv/administrator, I'll try again. I'd love to, and I'd like to justify the faith that Marge Schiller had in me!
On a more personal note, this was not the worst but most challenging year of my life, including my own 2 major surgeries for cancer (didn't have it!), the death of my 14 year companion from lymphoma, my sister's cancer, and a vision crisis. There were other challenges along the way, but as someone said, "I fall down, I get up, I keep dancing"! True to my nature/style, I'd like to recommend 2 books for those interested. The first is Barbara Ehrenreich's Dancing in the Streets: A History of Collective Joy. The publisher promises that Dancing is "original, exhiliarating, and profoundly optimistic...(it) concludes that we are innately social beings, impelled almost instinctively to share our joy, and therefore able to envision, perhaps even create, a more peaceful future." I'm counting on it! (Sidebar: Speaking of peace, I hope you will all read The Anatomy of Peace, a very small, simple book about an Arab and an Israeli who came together in forgiveness to teach others to give peace a chance.) The second book I'm recommending is Marianne Williamson's The Gift of Change. On page 230, she writes, " When a positive change is occuring in our lives, it's a good idea to take the time to sit quietly and breathe it in, literally and figuratively. In your mind's eye, see a picture of the new situation, and imagine yourself functioning at your best within it. Now with your eyes closed, breathe deeply and feel yourself inwardly expanding into that possibility within yourself. Such exercises are not idle fantasies but actual powers of the mind." Yes! One more suggestion. Go to Oprah.com for the video, "Challenge Day." It is about the miraculous changes in high school students regarding virtually every prejudice - in one day! Amazing, Grace! I am releasing most of my professional library (AI, OS, Future Search, conflict resolution, mediation, research tools, philosophy). I tried to come up with a way of selling them, but couldn't figure out an equitable way. I will be donating them to the Berkeley Public Library and Planned Parenthood book sales. Of course I will keep my greatest treasures, i.e., the work and guidance of Harrison, Marv and Sandra, David and Diana, Juanita and David. I am cancelling this email address, as I am moving on to new professional ventures, and leaving behind the gazillion junk mails I receive at this address. I am keeping the addresses of the listservs, although for now I am unsubscribing from them.. I will always be open to collaborative positive change process, so if you need to connect with me, you can send to katharinemarmstr...@yahoo.com. at least for a while. And not to worry. According to my email, I am the lucky winner of 70/12 international lotteries. The best of everything to all of you! As long as I am breathing, Pollyanna lives. '-) Cheering us all on, Kate Armstrong * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist