A new resource now available

As readers of this blog likely appreciate there is more to this way of socialising in public places than might appear at first glance.

For Conversare gatherings being contexts in which participants engage well with people they may not know have distinct benefits for all concerned. A peruse of posts here will reveal what these are.

Among them are to have an interesting and enjoyable experience. How could this not be, given that here is an opportunity to interact with others who are also keen to meet lively and interesting others?

And to do this in a situation in which everyone is doing the same, meaning that all present participate fully. How many social gatherings have you attended when you could say that was the case? When you felt that you were fully accepted by all present and fully engaged throughout the whole gathering?

Another is that these events are the opportunity to become more aware of just what conversation is, and how is experienced when it happens well.

The resource I refer to it my new book about such matters. Time to converse – at the heart of human warmth has just become available to order. This is a much elaborated edition of earlier versions.

My purpose in writing it is to bring to conscious attention what it means to have more effective and more productive conversations, how to do this and what a difference this can make when acted upon.

For what I explore is the idea of conversation being derived from the verb converse being ‘to turn or to dance together.’  And implications of this, such as ‘whenever we treat each other well good things happen.’ In doing this my wish is to bring to widespread awareness just how vital is ‘becoming’ as people whose modus vivendi is treating everyone with inherent respect.

How does this resonate with you?

Two of my ‘triggers’ to go ahead with having the elaborated book printed were comments on my earlier booklet printed in 2009.

“Gd morning mr alan ur book really beautiful makes me feel fly on the sky with my hopes that always make me stronger and have new life thank u so much, you make me really happy and I feel likes a human being now thank u really this from my deeply heart, best”
Misel Veronika
Young Indonesian woman, Hong Kong

Misel worked as a labourer in a market garden near to the residential area in which I lived in Hong Kong until 2011. I often stopped there en route back from a Sunday morning hike to purchase fresh vegetables – which could not be fresher as she would pick the ones requested. She and I invariably engaged in banter partly based on my rudimentary Bahasa Indonesia. Which led to my giving her a copy of the Time to converse booklet.

And to her responding with the sms above. Have you ever seen anything expressed so exquisitely?

Misel and I keep in touch. She reported to me recently that while she had to return to Indonesia when her visa expired she is now back in Hong Kong doing a university course.

And also a very ‘fulsome’ one from Juanita Brown. “I LOVE IT! I love the style, the writing, the tone, the quotes, the reflections, the invitations to wonder.”

She and David Isaacs, co-founders of the World Café and longstanding friends of mine – see Conversare in America – have kindly provided a thoughtful endorsement of the new edition, now a substantial book even though small in size at just under 100 pages. When you see a copy you will likely appreciate just what  I mean by this claim. <smile>

I am pleased to report that it can now be ordered online. To do this see here. 

Could this be a resource for whatever you do which has an underpinning of ‘all voices being heard’ in your work as a teacher, facilitator, consultant, community developer  or any other activity which is based on the premise that ‘We are in this together and to treat each other well?’

Or which could be a happier and more productive place if this premise was recognised and implemented …

As ever your comments would be welcomed.

Alan Stewart
Adelaide