The Discovery Space (www.thediscoveryspace.com)

I’ve recently immersed myself into another way of being. Well, it’s not new, it’s something I know I slip in and out of. It’s what I would describe as a place of peace and joy. A place where I have no “old thinking”. And I have been experiencing “new thinking” as a result, which is a compete revelation. Creativity if you will.
How did this happen? I can only explain the journey so far, so here it is. I had a conversation with a very interesting man a few months ago, which was instigated by our mutual friend, Dott. He is an Englishman, Julian, who he lives in a Mill on the outskirts of Antwerp. In our conversation, he planted a seed. And I could listen to this man for hours, by the way. He lives life in the way in which he spoke and doesn’t even own a watch! He very clearly reminded me that humans, and everything around us for that matter, are not linear. We are complex and attempting to put our lives into a linear space is constricting and restrictive. And the only way we know this is true is via a litmus test we call ‘feelings’. Which are our bodies’ way of flagging something up and saying LISTEN! Typically a result of our thinking.
So I thought: ‘Let me be completely and utterly curious and see what comes. With no expectations and no judgement and no plan.’ So there I was – wholly present and living in the moment. From this space of presence, I had a moment of real fear, anger and despair when seeing pictures of 5 year olds handcuffed at border control across some airports in the US, on social media. And as I sat very much in these feelings on the underground, a busker strummed “That’s not the shape of my heart” by Sting, and I cried. Lots of tears on a packed train, and it was fine. It felt like the right thing to do and I let it happen.
A few days later, I had an idea. An idea which I shared with a fellow coach (thank you, Nat!) and some friends and parents at school. Who votes? People. A cluster of People = A community. When communities connect and are creative, something wonderful happens and I want that for every community across the planet. So, I decided to hold a space for people who wanted to connect and share their worlds.
The space is called “The Discovery Space” and here were my initial notes (it’s all subject to change):

I wanted to make it a space where people can just show up and see what unfolds and to my surprise, people were interested. Well – more curious than interested, and that was enough. I held our first meeting at home around the dining room table and the conversations were incredible. We got to know a little more about each other. We shared stories and thoughts and the connection became real in those 2 hours. When I called an end to the meeting, everyone just sat there for a few minutes. Almost not wanting to leave.
The next Discovery Space will be held in March at the local Fire Station (thank you, station manager Nic!), which was recommended by a councillor Grace Williams, and Alison at “the Mill”. None of which would have happened had I not met Chris (from ‘Grow Wild’) when I was looking for a birthday party venue for our little one. Chris absolutely rocks! A man of wisdom and trust – especially with the work he does around children and nature. All these fabulous connections and wonderful souls came through my way of “being”. Had I not been in the moment and curious enough I would not have met these incredible people and be here today.
I’ll be honest and say that I have no idea where this is going. I have no desire for it to be anything, other than what it is in the moment. And I can only share the story of it all, once it’s happened. All of which will be revealed on the website when it’s up and running.
I feel alive with what’s happening.
It’s great to play the game of life – from Wisdom and with Love.