A short story of ambition and redemption

Here's a short story about a few friends catching up. Who do we have? "Ms Harmony" who's been letting a bolter of an idea rest in her subconscious for the last year or so and then lets it loose in the middle of a previously unstructured discussion. First uncharitable response? "What are all the reasons why this won't work?"

Mr "Infra Structure" - he sure likes his structure and likes a definable objective. Can he define an objective in one word and get sign-on? What is everyone else thinking? Surely we've learnt to read each other's mind by now?

Mr "Unguarded Moment" (particularly if Floyd had done it rather than the Church, but you can't have everything). Sits quietly for most of the time and then chimes in with the bits of the puzzle that we need. And finally, Ms "I used to be an RSM but now I'm more of a listener." How can we get it to work, she says?

It's hard to describe how fulfilling it is to catch up with people with whom you've shared some fantastic experiences, hopes and dreams - most of which have been crushed, died of exposure or faded under the burden of daily ephemera - but who still harbour the desire to still influence (aaargh - we forgot to discuss influence!) and bring about some changes.

What are the changes? Well, we could start with the "objective" I suppose. I understand the need for one and the contribution "one word" could make, but our history is that "one word" - or 3 in the last case - aren't an objective but a proxy? Are you following me? The Learning Organisation was a fine metaphor, but let me propose this: what we meant was "a good boot up the date to those who need it." Which is why today's bolter of an idea got such an enthusiastic reeception (despite the myriad - political - impediments that I quickly envisioned). But these impediments are the assumptions, aren't they? So can we analyse them and so find ways around? Not tonight - not now - but let me hear from you.

Friends.