Unplugged and Re-energised in Ballyhoura

Post date: 27-Aug-2010 16:58:36

Home now after three days at the Tangible Ireland Ambassador Summer School in the stunning location of Ballyhoura luxury forest homes. An unintended consequence of this unique venue was that it encouraged the reflective nature of our discussions over the three days by keeping us away from the always-on, instant access devices that have become so much a part of daily life. In a location with limited mobile coverage and no internet access, I was reminded of the words of Jon Kabat Zinn - wherever you go, there you are.

That said, the three days were nonetheless very lively. The themes of Vision, Leadership and Change sparked some great discussions, insightful and inspiring presentations and a real sense of positivity and solution focussed thinking - even in a context where no-one was slow to identify the myriad problems! All that and a bit of good old fashioned craic, made for a thoroughly enjoyable few days.

One quote particularly stays with me; "A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labour and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both." L.P. Jacks, in Education through recreation, 1932 (italics mine).

I have a sense that, as a result of the Summer School, there are a great many of us feeling renewed in our own efforts to pursue our vision of excellence in whatever we are doing. And I for one hope that I will continue to meet, exchange ideas and occasionally join forces with some or all of this extraordinary group of people who make make up the Tangible Ireland network.