Over the next 2 days I will be offering up some of the presentations, with my commentary of the Boyd Conference. Later I will add video. All will be available on the Ning site for the Conference that you can find here.
But for now, I would like to offer up my first impressions of what I think transpired.
There is a deep underlying metaphor in Lord of the Rings. That the problems in the world are not initially visible to all but a few. But that these problems are dire and could be world ending.
A few do see the risk and in spite of their own differences come together in a fellowship and set out to do what is necessary to protect their future.
That is what happened this weekend.
A number of us Chet and John Robb - showed us a compelling view of the future - some told us of what they were doing to help their communities. And we had a few Wizards and Elves who had the Sword of the King and some Spells that we all could use to make us more powerful when confronted with all the power of the "Dark Lord" and his minions.
But more than anything formal - we had a huge ongoing party - with dinners and lots of "free time" plus for a few - a miserable shared winter travel experience. What really happened was that a group of strangers discovered a true bond with each other.
What we discovered was the character of the individuals and of the group. For the other side of Boyd's insight that Mindsets are the key to understanding conflict and problems is the issue of character. For to take on the system demands all a person could posses. And paradoxically it often takes an unlikely hero - like a hobbit to begin the journey to Mordor.
A Fellowship was born. Already, only 2 days after, many are talking about how they can help each other. The journey has begun - Like the Fellowship of the Ring, all we know for sure is the peril. Like the Fellowship, ww have the great advantage of having each other - a group of many and great talents and a group full of big hearts as well.
