best summer ever

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Comment by Klaus Schenck on July 24, 2014 at 18:12

The SOL Summer Retreat in Cortils, Belgium, certainly was a strong contribution to the ingredients of a "best summer ever"! And as Björn was very present in our minds and hearts during the event, I extracted the photos I still keep from SOLworld-conferences for photosouvenirs with Björn on them. Now I put them into an -> album ("best summer ever - revisted"). The best way to look at them might be to run Janis Joplin's "Summertime" (e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn5TNqjuHiU) while enjoying the collection, and the memories.

Deep bow,

Klaus

Comment by Tricia Lustig on July 7, 2014 at 19:13

I am working on my best summer ever... And mostly I'm spending time in the moment and accepting what is, being grateful for what is.  I'm appreciating the wonders of sun after rain, of vegetables growing in our garden, of being the owner (i.e. slave) of the naughtiest cat ever - aka the sock thief and seeing how she gets on with her older 'brother', of riding my horse again after 6 months off games... in short the little things that matter and that we so take for granted.

And I'm appreciating my writing as I work to finish my latest book as agreed with the publisher.  Mindful of the miracles we see (and that I notice) every day. 

So this is how I honour Bjorn and this idea of the best summer ever.

Comment by Svea van der Hoorn on June 30, 2014 at 20:52

"In the midst of winter, I found there was within me an invincible summer" - Albert Camus.

In 1995, I placed this quote on the acknowledgements page of my doctorate - which I finished in the shadow of a very loved person bringing his life to a close. Not easy times in which to complete a major piece of academic work.

I post it now in honour of Bjorn - I experienced him as being an invincible summer in his spirit. Not always can the body manage to keep up with the spirit.

I will continue my stewardship of his activities and what he contributed to my SF Brief thinking and practice. I will always treasure the summit in Malmo.

Comfort and consolation to all his touched with his life and his work

Comment by Petra Mueller-Demary on June 28, 2014 at 19:02

Dear Eva and Bjoern,
I would like to share with you a beautiful story that started with the first SOLretreat you initiated together with the group of 6.
 
Last year, when we organized the SOLretreat on Romania a dear friend of mine was one of the participants. Cristina Stefanut, she
runs a NGO here in Romania and supports children with health issues from poor families. They have one project in Oncology and one to erase Strabismus
in Romania. Many of the children which are cross eyed have not only medical difficulties  but also they are socially  excluded because
they look ‘stupid’.   A quite simple operation can help them a lot.
 
On the SOLretreat last year Cristina got in contact with Manuela from Switzerland who brought her in contact with a foundation in Switzerland.
They looked into the project, their plans and success stories up to now and  they decided to sponsor  both projects for 1 year, covering the
expenses to 100%!!!!! and it gives Cristina and her team the possibility to spread out their project in more cities in Romania.
 
My dear Eva and Bjoern,  you together with Liselotte, Anton, Kati and Jesper are an important part of this beautiful success story. You initiated the SOL summer retreat which became for me one of the summer highlights.
 
You never can imagine how much can develop out of a beautiful idea.
Thank you for your contribution to my best summer ever!
Big hug to  you all.
Petra

Comment by Joost van Iersel on June 28, 2014 at 16:08

Bjorn and Eva,

A best summer ever brings me back to a beautiful moment when I felt more alive than ever before. It was in the Okavango delta in Botswana / Namibie where I helped a crocodile to get rid of his teeth (becoming later beautiful earrings), where I had to climb a tree to escape the fury of a hurd of buffalos or when I knew to be watched by 'sleeping' lions while crossing the land looking for a lost jackal or some giraph. I needed all I had into me to stay alive.

This experience helps me to love my kids, my wife and all others whom I care for. It stimulates me to live with all my heart.

I will do that this summer and the summer next to that and so on. I will think of you Bjorn and Eva. You  showed me the bravery that I needed there in the Okavango delta in all kind of conferences where I met you. I wish you a summer with plenty of that.

Joost

Comment by John Brooker on June 27, 2014 at 11:40

Bjoern and Eva. Last week I went to JSOL 7 in Tokyo as part of my best summer ever. Wow. I was overwhelmed by the friendliness and generosity of Aoki and Reiko and the other delegates. Here is a picture of Marco's daughter Olivia handing over the candle to Aoki at the opening ceremony. After my first ever karaoke session, singing to Bruce Springsteen,  (delighted it was in Japan!) I ran a pre conference, a workshop and a real highlight, an Open Space session with Marco Ronzani.

Marco and I had never worked together before, but after four days of getting to know each other, I think we were eager to try.

We chose to run an open Open Space (!) by just having a Q & A session with whoever wanted to come along.

A great opening question from Tomasz Switek ("What is "that" in "How do you do that?") led us to do an exercise I will remember all my life.

The question was, "can you help solve a problem without knowing what it is?". To demonstrate that, Marco and I conducted an interview with a lady, a non English speaking attendee.

We asked our questions in English, translated in to Japanese by our brilliant interpreter, Yuki. The attendee replied in Japanese but this was not translated .

It was fascinating asking questions based on her tone of voice, eye movement and body language! at the end she confirmed that the session had helped her. Quite amazing. A big thank you to Marco for the opportunity to work with him.

Next stop Ireland, to talk on using an SF approach to help companies innovate. BSE!

Comment by Loraine Kennedy on June 20, 2014 at 12:59

That's beautiful Anton, BJorn and Eva we are all with you In Spirit and peace.
Very fond love and thank you both for all those memories
Loraine

Comment by Anton Stellamans on June 20, 2014 at 12:09

An African proverb says: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

We are all walking with you, Björn and Eva.

Anton

Comment by Petra Mueller-Demary on June 6, 2014 at 17:19

Dear Bjoern and Eva,

I am deeply moved by all the stories. Specially your question, Bjoern, "Do we really give enough?"

It stays in my head and I don't yet now the answer. As a small step

I start every day with the thought - "What can I give today? What gift can I make?"

and end every day with the thought - "What surprized me today? and be grateful I was able to recognzie it!"

and I am currious where this is leading me.

A warm big hug to both of you and the great SOL community I am grateful to be part of

Petra

Comment by Rita Klemmayer on June 6, 2014 at 13:54

Dear Björn, dear Eva,
I am so touched, when I read al these mails.
That your sad and for sure painful situation can bring so much energy, compassion and ideas of each one. Together withRuth, Joost and Yvonne I organized the summer retreat for this Year in July.You and your friend founded it.
In the one way or the other we will share stories about " the best summer ever."

I often think of you both and include you in my meditations and prayers.

Cordial greetings to you
Rita

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