Wednesday, October 29, 2008




"Relationships are the source of our growth as persons.

There must be at least one person with whom he or she is totally open
and feels totally safe at the same time"
Paul Tournier

For 20 years I went to visit a great man.*
Every two months.
Just to offload, reflect, learn and yearn.
I was working with Gangs in East London.
I was a battered human.
Coaching is called nowadays - or, I prefer,
Non Managerial Supervision.

I remember saying to him once
"I don't feel spiritual anymore"
He said,
looking into my eyes
he said
"I am glad"

He said in response to my questions he said
"When you grow and develop
you change
and have to leave
the safe and secure behind -
like sailing from one island to another.
You are involved in change -
have faith
solid ground is ahead".

In my work I am available to others who wish to talk something through.
I never give advice.
I ask questions and sometimes share my own experience
from my stumbling fumbling life.
Always confidential.
We all need support sometimes.

I do this with teams too,
facilitate learning and that usually
comes from the body of knowledge
in the room.
We all need input too - sometimes.

We all need inspiration sometimes.
So I leave you with a Quotation.

To laugh is to risk appearing a fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental
To reach out is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas and dreams before the crowd is to risk their love.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk despair.
To try is to risk failure.
But the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The one who risks nothing does nothing and has nothing – and finally is nothing.
He may avoid sufferings and sorrow.
But he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow or love.
Chained by his certitude, he is a slave, he has forfeited freedom.
Only one who risks is free!
* His name was Jim Punton.