Pip Wilson bhp ...... blog

http://pipwilson.com/



The Blob Tree came out of my work in the East End of London working with young people who could not or would not read. I led a large Team of People Workers as we worked with street gangs including lots of group work.The Blob Tree is about 20 years old now and is used all over the world.

Now I am employed as a Trainer/Group Worker and also freelance Facilitator and Group Worker.
These tools have been developed as I work with different kinds of beautiful humans week on week. There are Blob Tools with differing purposes because they are flexible for your use! All about helping people to open up and develop and grow ........ I use many of them in my work every week with humans who struggle with life.

I love Group Work and find that creating the right climate of trust and easing humans into self revelation is the most beautiful experience in development terms. I also use these tools, and other tools in the range of books, in Facilitation and Training Staff who work with special needs humans in the Voluntary and Corporate Sector.

Full List of Publications available ::

1 Blob Tree CD-Rom
This is 'The Big Book of Blobs' with no clothes on!
It is the book in CDR format with 'The Blob Tree' and a collection of 50 of the currently most popular images for use with data projectors, computers, whiteboards etc..
Contains Blob Iceberg, Blob Emotions, Blob Sleep, Blob Needs, Blob Christmas, Blob Doors and many more.
This CDR, for personal use - with groups led by yourself etc., costs £20.00 + p&p = £21.00
If requested, permission to network the CDR in-house will be given at a cost of £50.

2 Big Book of Blobs
'The Big Book of Blobs' was published in August 2005 and has over 50 x A4 size 'Blob Tree' type tools.
You have permission to photocopy for your own use in a face to face context.
There are many beautiful and powerful new tools here with permission to photocopy for personal use.
All Books NOW Sold.
It is NOW re-published in a upgraded format by a Specialist publisher in February 2007.
It will cost £30-ish and is available only from:: http://www.incentiveplus.co.uk/
It is quicker to telephone them:: 0190 852 6120

3 'You Are a Beautiful Human Person' BOOK.
This was new in September 2006, a 'Mr Men' size book which has a few affirmative words alongside Blobs illustrations.
It is affirmative to the hilt with also a gentle/simple Christian emphasis.
Available from me ONLY.
The book costs £6.00 + p&p = £7.00

4 A3 Blob Tree Posters - 2 sets of Posters - Top Sellers.
Four A3 size posters have been published too.
They are in colour and the pack has four different blob trees.
A booklet is part of the pack with ideas for use.
Not available from me.
Order online from::
http://www.incentiveplus.co.uk/

5 MINI BLOB TREE POSTERS
These were new product in May 2006. There is four different Blob Trees x A5 size, in each set, produced in colour and on good quality/thick paper. Ideal to use in small group work.
Available from::
http://www.incentiveplus.co.uk/
6 The Very Stinking Rolling Magazine Book .
This 250 page Book, published in 1991 by Harper Collins, has several 'Blob Tree' type images and 100+ Games and Exercises.
The are many unique tested Group Work ideas and tools plus a specialist guide indicating sensitivity when working those with with Humans with Special Needs - we all have abilities and disabilities!
AVAILABLE FROM ME ONLY.
This Book costs £10.00* which includes p&p.

7 The Little Book of Blob Questions
This was new in June 2006. Not only does it have The Blob Tree and 14 other Blob Tools, it has some ideas of how to use in a group context and several questions to trigger you own preparation for use.
AND this you can buy on line ::
Printed version or as a Download. (Not available from me.)
http://www.lulu.com/content/326706

8 Blob Feelings - a New Book in February 2007
Full of Blob Tools which are much in demand by Counsellors, Educational Psychologists and Mediation Workers etc..
Includes the Blob Tree, Blob Feelings, Blob Depression, Blob Families,and many more.
Only available from
http://www.incentiveplus.co.uk/

9 Blob Spirituality - ONLY available online.
Blob Spirituality is a book of visual tools designed to enable deep conversations about issues which matter to people.
Using the primary languages common to all people - body language and feelings - it provides the user with a means to explore issues as wide as bullying and change, through to Christmas and weddings.
Take a look at the contents page to see the full range of visuals.
Available as a download or to buy as a book ONLY from::
http://www.lulu.com/content/569723

10 Downloads or Books online::
These items are being added to regularly - feel free to take a peep .....
See also these to download or order online::
http://www.lulu.com/content/348459
http://www.lulu.com/content/341012
http://www.lulu.com/content/341007
http://www.lulu.com/content/413403

If you would like any of the ones available - please send me your address and I will post to you with an invoice.
Hope this is helpful - please get back to me if you have questions.

Pip Wilson bhp

*Note - the postage quoted is for UK only.
I will post anywhere!.





EXTRA READING if you wish - two great reviews ::
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Read what the Times Educational Supplement said in January 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Enlist the power of the Blob

Jerome Monahan
Published: 20 January 2006

The Big Book of Blobs By Pip Wilson and Ian Long £12 (including p&p); the A3 posters are £19 (including p&p) Email: pip@pipwilson.com
Here are two new words that could well enter the lexicon in 2006.

The verb "to blob"and its associated noun "blobster" meaning a convinced user of Blobs in training and education work with adults and young people.

The roots of both are the endlessly adaptable "Blob" people (born of a collaboration between artist Ian Long and group worker and trainer Pip Wilson) and now gathered into a collection of over 50 fresh illustrations designed to promote communication and emotional literacy.

The book begins with the original "BlobTree" that has been doing the rounds of schools and counselling settings for many years and features a population of jelly baby-like figures climbing, hanging and falling from trunk and branches and demonstrating behaviour ranging from mutual support to out-and-out opposition or complete isolation. "This picture is over 25 years old," says Pip Wilson. "It emerged from my youth work in East London with young people unwilling or unable to read and has circulated since among teachers and other professionals often in the shape of photocopies of photocopies. Now we have greatly extended the range of Blob situations and scenarios - though all offer the same multiplicity of interpretation that made the original so useful a tool."

The new illustrations are gathered into four themed sections: places, such as playground and disco settings; issues, including bullying; families and death; occasions, including a Blob Christmas; and, finally, a set of personal development scenarios. "Most of the situations are open to symbolic interpretation," suggests Ian Long. "They can be used to help children and young people make the leap to some highly sophisticated thinking. They have proved an ideal prompt, helping people to open up about themselves in ways that more direct cross-examining often fails to do."

"The great thing about Blob pictures is the way they provide an entirely non-threatening way into young people's thinking," suggests Norwich-based sex and relationship educational development worker Molly Potter. "I have used them in a variety of circumstances and they are great for drawing out views without the need for any reading whatsoever. They have proved extremely useful helping both secondary and primary pupils. In addition, they have worked as a great ice-breaker for the PSHE sessions I lead with primary teachers." Included in The Big Book of Blobs is guidance about the importance of subtle questioning as the key to the successful use of the images. "The quality of the questions that young people are asked makes all the difference," says Ian Long.

"In co-ordination with the images, effective questions can move young people on from everyday communication to discussing their beliefs and feelings, and eventually reaching the kind of openness from which real progress can flow." Ian Long cites a powerful example involving a distraught Year 4 child he witnessed being able to use a Blobbing session to identify the figure in one image he most felt like at the time. "It was the necessary launch pad he needed to express his current emotions," says Ian. "He took the risk of opening himself up and it produced the extraordinary result of another pupil pointing to a friendly Blob embracing another to articulate how he would like to help his classmate."

For Jill Aitkin, assistant head at Canons High School in Harrow, the moment when Blobs proved their worth was in her work with a young boy whose mother was seriously ill. "His worry was being manifested in aggression," she recalls. "Using the Blob Tree picture with him gave him the chance to point to the figure in mid-air having fallen off a branch - this was how he felt and he immediately burst into tears. It enabled him to express his underlying sadness and anxiety." She adds: "Blobs are deceptively simple figures, recognisably human and manifesting an extraordinary range of emotions and relationships. They are a very direct and yet unobtrusive way to help adolescents explore their feelings."

Sarah Davidson of Slough Borough Council's Educational Psychology Service adds: "The Blob Playground and Bullying pages have proved particularly helpful. But intrinsic to all Blobs is their lack of specific identity.

They are sexless, ageless and without racial characteristics. Even the youngest children can come to own the images, finding in them Blobs that reflect their past and present circumstances and how they would like to be in the future."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
YOUTHWORK MAGAZINE - REVIEW OCTOBER 2005
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Youthwork review

‘One of the most dynamic, flexible and innovative resources the youth work world has ever seen.’
There you go, stick that on the back cover because we mean every word.
Pip and Ian’s ‘Blob Tree’ resource has been around for nearly twenty years now, making a great name for itself over that time. An A4 monochrome image, bereft of writing, it displays a large tree filled with sexless, shapeless, ageless ‘blob people’. Like stick men who’ve chomped one Big Mac too many, their simple yet animated forms are used to represent emotions, decisions, personality types and social situations. A person can point to the blob whose stance, expression or activity they most identify with, and perhaps explain why. And that’s it. Essentially, it’s just a tree full of conversation-starting blobs.
But that, of course, is the brilliance of it. Because of its simplicity, the tree becomes the perfect resource when attempting to get people to talk about themselves and their social interactions. Children enjoy the visual focus, and can discuss important issues; adults identify with the emotions presented in these abstract characters. And there’s no language involved, so the image can be used to the same effect anywhere in the world.
Pip and Ian return here with a whole book of variations on the theme, as their army of cartoons populate more than 50 new scenes. Spread throughout four themed categories, they place the blobs in a range of tree-substitutes – a playground, a protest march, a football match, a community and so on – each designed to spark a different kind of conversation and interaction.
Some examples: on looking at the book now (after all, which blob you are today doesn’t always define which blob you’ll be tomorrow), I define myself as the blob at the back of the cinema; and the blob walking through one of the ‘blob doors’. Simple and silly as they seemed at first, these little people have had a profound effect on my thoughts today.
That’s why this book is so vitally important to youth work in the broadest sense. These illustrations, though almost text free, are deceptively complex and engaging. The potential for both getting people to talk and releasing them to think, is awesome.
The acid test: I’ve tried this with young people already, and had stunning conversations off the back of it. If Youthwork ran the resource Oscars, Pip and Ian’s Big Book of Blobs would have just walked away with the award for Best Picture(s).

Martin Saunders
Editor of Youthwork
Oct 2005

http://pipwilson.com/









.

Back to Home Page>

BLOB TREE

Details of products

Full List of Publications available ::

1 Blob Tree CD-Rom
This is 'The Big Book of Blobs' with no clothes on!
It is the book in CDR format with 'The Blob Tree' and a collection of 50 of the currently most popular images for use with data projectors, computers, whiteboards etc..
Contains Blob Iceberg, Blob Emotions, Blob Sleep, Blob Needs, Blob Christmas, Blob Doors and many more.
This CDR, for personal use - with groups led by yourself etc., costs £20.00 + p&p = £21.00
If requested, permission to network the CDR in-house will be given at a cost of £50.

2 Big Book of Blobs
'The Big Book of Blobs' was published in August 2005 and has over 50 x A4 size 'Blob Tree' type tools.
You have permission to photocopy for your own use in a face to face context.
There are many beautiful and powerful new tools here with permission to photocopy for personal use.
All Books NOW Sold.
It is NOW re-published in a upgraded format by a Specialist publisher in February 2007.
It will cost £30-ish and is available only from:: http://www.incentiveplus.co.uk/
It is quicker to telephone them:: 0190 852 6120

3 'You Are a Beautiful Human Person' BOOK.
This was new in September 2006, a 'Mr Men' size book which has a few affirmative words alongside Blobs illustrations.
It is affirmative to the hilt with also a gentle/simple Christian emphasis.
Available from me ONLY.
The book costs £6.00 + p&p = £7.00

4 A3 Blob Tree Posters - 2 sets of Posters - Top Sellers.
Four A3 size posters have been published too.
They are in colour and the pack has four different blob trees.
A booklet is part of the pack with ideas for use.
Not available from me.
Order online from::
http://www.incentiveplus.co.uk/

5 MINI BLOB TREE POSTERS
These were new product in May 2006. There is four different Blob Trees x A5 size, in each set, produced in colour and on good quality/thick paper. Ideal to use in small group work.
Available from::
http://www.incentiveplus.co.uk/
6 The Very Stinking Rolling Magazine Book .
This 250 page Book, published in 1991 by Harper Collins, has several 'Blob Tree' type images and 100+ Games and Exercises.
The are many unique tested Group Work ideas and tools plus a specialist guide indicating sensitivity when working those with with Humans with Special Needs - we all have abilities and disabilities!
AVAILABLE FROM ME ONLY.
This Book costs £10.00* which includes p&p.

7 The Little Book of Blob Questions
This was new in June 2006. Not only does it have The Blob Tree and 14 other Blob Tools, it has some ideas of how to use in a group context and several questions to trigger you own preparation for use.
AND this you can buy on line ::
Printed version or as a Download. (Not available from me.)
http://www.lulu.com/content/326706

8 Blob Feelings - a New Book in February 2007
Full of Blob Tools which are much in demand by Counsellors, Educational Psychologists and Mediation Workers etc..
Includes the Blob Tree, Blob Feelings, Blob Depression, Blob Families,and many more.
Only available from
http://www.incentiveplus.co.uk/

9 Blob Spirituality - ONLY available online.
Blob Spirituality is a book of visual tools designed to enable deep conversations about issues which matter to people.
Using the primary languages common to all people - body language and feelings - it provides the user with a means to explore issues as wide as bullying and change, through to Christmas and weddings.
Take a look at the contents page to see the full range of visuals.
Available as a download or to buy as a book ONLY from::
http://www.lulu.com/content/569723

10 Downloads or Books online::
These items are being added to regularly - feel free to take a peep .....
See also these to download or order online::
http://www.lulu.com/content/348459
http://www.lulu.com/content/341012
http://www.lulu.com/content/341007
http://www.lulu.com/content/413403

If you would like any of the ones available - please send me your address and I will post to you with an invoice.
Hope this is helpful - please get back to me if you have questions.

Pip Wilson bhp

*Note - the postage quoted is for UK only.
I will post anywhere!.



.

Back to Home Page>

bloba
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
....... this is a great Blob tool. Only part of it on show here. I think this is the best ever to assist a group to get in touch with their feelings -feelings as they were at a previous time/another time - and , so importantly - how we feel, ............................. NOW!
.

Back to Home Page>

blobc
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
....... this is part of a Blob Family A4 sheet which is fantastic. It is used by me to get a group to struggle to read the sequence in the different boxes and to go on from there to discuss family relationships and the big issue of how feelings trigger behaviour.
.

Back to Home Page>

blobtreepart
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
..... this is a part of the

Blob Tree

which is the most well known Blob tool. There are over a hundred different 'Blob Tree' type tools. The 'Blob Tree' can be used in many ways including Team Work Training, Ice Breaking a group of humans and a simple way of opening up and helping people to tell others how they feel. It can be used multiple times with the same group - as feelings change you know!
.

Back to Home Page>

piptree
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

. I want to introduce you to the 6 foot tall Blob Tree which folds and fits into my car boot.

It is really good when working with large groups and can be used in lots of ways. Find out more Order a book or ............................... Contact me via my home page

.

.

Back to Home Page>

071103_don_mcmullin
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

... sometimes tears come on me when I am not expecting them.

Today - just read in the newspaper about how Israeli Troops had stopped a Palestinian man on the way to a violin lesson. The forced him to play as they laughed.

There has been some negative feedback;

- not about the 13 year old girl who was shot by the troops and then again with multiple shots to her dead body - with the comments that they would have shot her if she had been 3 years old....

- not negative feed back either when there was a report how a corpse of a Palestinian was desecrated by impaling his head on a pole and placing a cigarette between his lips...

THE UPSET WAS, rightly, because the treatment of the violinist reminded some sensitive people that very act was used during the holocaust by the Nazi camp commanders. They forced Jewish violinists to play for them as they mass murdered humans.

That hit me deep.
It is yet another example how humans can slip into injustice to the point of death.
It happened in the build up the the death of Jesus.
I see it in Iraq.
I weep as I read it here.

God bless us and keep us from such terrible behaviour - even unto death ....

I feel like screaming ..........

www.pipwilson.com

.

Back to Home Page>

catchcommunicate
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

I want to tell you about my feelings ..
===========================
communicating is like playing ball
I throw the ball and you catch it
the you throw the ball and I catch it
and again I throw the ball ......

'I want to tell you about my feelings'
that is how communication began
just as we need to throw a ball
back and forth to have a game of catch
we need to tell each other our feelings
to communicate

if you are to close together or
you are too far away from each other
it is not easy to play catch
communicating is the same
if you are too far away from your lover or your friend or
your child or your parents
it's not easy to communicate

communicating doesn't begin
with both people speaking at the same time
one side or the other
must make a move
someone has to throw the ball first

but you may not want to throw
the ball first - you may want to wait
for someone to throw it it you first
because when you throw the ball
and no one tries to catch it
you are unhappy

there are times
when you are unexpectedly rejected

there are times when you throw the ball
wanting to play with another person
only to have the person throw it to someone else


I want to tell you about my feelings
I want to tell you who I am



www.pipwilson.com

Dance like no-one is watching
Sing like no-one is listening
and
Love like you have never been hurt.


.

Back to Home Page>

indianchefs
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

Back to Home Page>

281104
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
.............. if you click this way regular like - you may remember the big big wedding in India which Joan and me were planning for Easter 2005 and stink! - they went and got married early with out us (all down to visa problems)

Well tonight - we were invited to the UK celebration held by the good couple Anitha and Adolfus, in Woolwich (near Belmarsh Prison, some small time football club and sludge-full Thames River) ....... and it was fab-tastic.

We watched the wedding DVD ...... 950 at the Engagement and, the day after, 500 for the wedding. What style and traditions!

We were treated like Royalty in this multi cultural gathering - Spanish - Czech - Pakistani - St Helensi - and more and more Indian.
A privilege.
A privilege to be there amongst these humans.

And the food.
Now ........ what service - what gorgeous food.
The nine house chefs provided a treat to overfill - and did I mention style?

..... so much more to express and pour ....... but my stubby little fingers are not up to it as usual ............. but I will leave you with a favourite quote;

Quote: Paul Tournier from the Meaning of Persons:
"We become fully conscious only of what we are able to express to someone else. We may already have had a certain inner intuition about it, but it must remain vague so long as it is unformulated"


.

Back to Home Page>

281104
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
.............. if you click this way regular like - you may remember the big big wedding in India which Joan and me were planning for Easter 2005 and stink! - they went and got married early with out us (all down to visa problems)

Well tonight - we were invited to the UK celebration held by the good couple Anitha and Adolfus, in Woolwich (near Belmarsh Prison, some small time football club and sludge-full Thames River) ....... and it was fab-tastic.

We watched the wedding DVD ...... 950 at the Engagement and, the day after, 500 for the wedding. What style and traditions!

We were treated like Royalty in this multi cultural gathering - Spanish - Czech - Pakistani - St Helensi - and more and more Indian.
A privilege.
A privilege to be there amongst these humans.

And the food.
Now ........ what service - what gorgeous food.
The nine house chefs provided a treat to overfill - and did I mention style?

..... so much more to express and pour ....... but my stubby little fingers are not up to it as usual ............. but I will leave you with a favourite quote;

Quote: Paul Tournier from the Meaning of Persons:
"We become fully conscious only of what we are able to express to someone else. We may already have had a certain inner intuition about it, but it must remain vague so long as it is unformulatedâ??


.

Back to Home Page>

+HOPELESS+
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.............. I am troubled .................
I am troubled deep.
I feel a deep sadness.
Not for myself.
The trouble in my soul is .....
I am only working this out as I click the keys,
I feel deeply for the people I have been with;

Trapped.
Locked.
Negative.
Dependent.
Medicated.
Brainsoaked.
Hurting.


Some few years ago a TV programme was made about the work I was doing in East London.
I felt 'not ok' ....
.............. because they called it something like 'Hopeless'.
I did not feel or believe the people I worked with were hopeless.
I believed they were deprived and lost and bursting with creativity which was also, sadly, anti-social and anti wholeness for them too.

Am I saying these NOW people are 'hopeless'?
Thinking and scratching the brain, which seems so close to the soul, I think they are not hopeless which is having ....
'NO HOPE'.
I feel and think the word
'trapped'
may be more appropriate.

It is not right to say this about all of these beautiful humans, in that, all are individuals and have unique issues in life. Sometimes I feel that they will have to get into a worse state before they can step away from it.

Hope is;
A deep word
A Bible word
A positive word
A futuristic word
A head up word -
A 'eyes wide open' word
I want to lock into that and not to feel the oppression of their loss, their deprivation,...............

The message of the incarnation, I believe, is .........
we have to feel that pain ourselves so that our own soul aches,
so we feel the brokenness,
feel the depth of their trapped life style.
What WE believe, now I reflect about you and I, directs our attitudes, tone, decisions and role.

So, I now say I have to feel the pain but but reflect then above it.
Beyond it .....
Lift up on Angel wings so that I am not trapped .........
................ but focussed and strategic in every relationship and
( again impossible)
in every conversation and utterance.


I feel better - some - now - as I understand me a bit more
and mission
purpose
life


you are special .....

.

Back to Home Page>

shoot
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
.... from U2 ,,,,

"
Everywhere you go you shout it
You don't have to be shy about it, no

And you'll never be alone
Come on now, show your soul
You've been keeping your love under control

Everywhere you go you shout it
You don't have to be shy about it, no
Everywhere you go you shout it
Oh my my
"

.

Back to Home Page>

blobb
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
...... of course you may be one which is not on here ........
..............feelings!

Killers eh?


NO!


Some humans ...... many I meet have feelings which are killers.

Feelings are beautiful too!!
also can be pleasure
the greatest of pleasure .....
Many humans I know enjoy the feelings because they have plenty positive ones ........

THE MOST SAD ..........

THE WORST SITUATION ......

WHAT I YEARN AND WORK TO HELP WITH ....


Is when humans cannot 'clock' their feelings ...

we have them .....
all of us .....
but so many live outside them and are not in touch with them.

YET .....
the behaviour in all of us comes out of our feelings (even if we ARE in touch with them)

These blob illustrations - many published in my books ....
Many more waiting for the next book ....

I don't know how best to show them on my website because they are copyrighted and don't want them to be ripped off.
So - at the moment I just show little parts of them to give you a taste. Watch the website to see how best charlie-webmaster-bhp does this for me ..... and watch this blog too for little snippets ........

I am feeling right now .... ?


.

Back to Home Page>

IMG0212_1.JPG
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
....Life is a dance floor
by Pip Wilson

I am not interested in SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

I am interested in whole PERSON DEVELOPMENT


What I believe.
What I believe - I don't know because I am on a journey and what I click on these keys now, will be different tomorrow.
I fumble and stumble to express what I believe and when I do get to it I 'refresh the irritation', so I am living at a point of unease.
I desire incompleteness and a constant yearning.
I guess it is a little like: -
"Be aware of wonder.
Remember the little seed in the polystyrene cup; the roots go down and the shoots go up, nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like this"
Robert Fulghum, from 'All I really need to know I learned in Kindergarten'

The few words above are from a paper I have written for a European Trainers Magazine on the subject of 'Spirituality'.

I have mentioned this earlier this week but a a way which leaves me dissatisfied.
So here it is again. You can click the full article here.

Thanx for clicking this way ............


.

Back to Home Page>

_40563297_face_recog_203-1
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
Someone sent me this some time ago ........ and I love it ....


Who I am today right now...

content
single
happy
alive
healthy
searching
biking
sailing
running
active
dating
living.....



I replied today ......

Five words to describe my life at the moment ...........
(and one day I told the Queen about this question
but didn't have the courage to ask her for five words ....)
but I will ask you .....



This is me today;



alive
flat
feeling
yearning
beautifulimperfection




www.pipwilson.com

"work like you don't need the money
dance like no-one is watching
sing like no-one is listening
and
love like you have never been hurt"


.

Back to Home Page>

.


WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE HUMAN ?

Robert Warren 'Exploring the dynamic of being human'

"Full humanity........
is experienced when life is consciously received
and enjoyed as gift
and,
thereby in a relationship with the giver".





'consciously' ....... is a key word here for me ........

bhp

.




Back to Home Page>

vision
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
.... another great quote from Bono here and a good article about U2 doing a New York 'secret' outdoor gig - see atu2dotcom.


Bono has dedicated the chiming ballad-anthem Miracle Drug to fellow Dubliner Christopher Nolan, a paralyzed boy who grew into a poet.

"Science and medicine and God are the same thing.
They should always be the same thing."

.

Back to Home Page>

scan_3728101930_1
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
...... and two Sheilas about 20 years ago, of me - and Joy on the left and Ann on the right .... and she does that camera stuff now for a living ..... well she directs the cams whilst Joy styles for the cams and the man ......... I am more of a still-pic man.

If you see the 'photo' section on my home page - you will see several works of my 'click-art' from the pocket sized pentax with a cracked screen.

There are lots I do not put up there as I take many in my work with beautiful humans with special needs (I have them too!) .... and I don't show you those 7k pics from the last year ....... but I try to share some of the stories .....

Like it is great to speak with a alcoholic who has been off the drink for five days and looks twenty years younger.
Drinking a lot demands we take more vitamin B - I understand - I really don't know how we get them naturally!

I yearn to see steps of wholeness in their lives and yet I am no good unless I get close ..........
- and they let me.
Then the relationship, like all good relationships, can be a helping relationship.
I know at the same time I learn immeasurably myself.
I drink in people for my own benefit too.
I don't think there is any communication between humans, at level four or five, which is not an experience of of development.
My soul is stirred!

.... what stirs you soul ...... ?

.

Back to Home Page>

communication
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

..... I suppose I want to constantly
do
live
drink
breath
it


.

Back to Home Page>

.
............. I was asked to write an article for a European Trainers magazine called 'Coyote' and I quote from the good Mag;

"Coyote is published by the Council of Europe and the European Commission within their partnership in the youth field, with the aim to strengthen networking among trainers involved in European youth worker training and to promote the value of European level training for youth workers."

The subject is
'spirituality'
so I loved the challenge.
You can follow this link and view it and other articles from this issue.


bhp

.



Back to Home Page>

.
....... This ...... is the best Bono/U2/New album programme I have heard.

Fantastic interview and album tracks.
Only on listen again for a few days so catch it eh?

bhp

.

Back to Home Page>

oyvintorgrimpip
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
....... this is Oyvin Torgrim and me in Oslo when U2 came to town on their last tour.Fantastic memories.

Hope you and all your friends have got the album* and sharing your thoughts on the favourite track of the moment ...... if you are anything like me - it will move around the playlist as we discover hidden depths hmmm ......

*How to dismantle an atomic bomb*
by U2 ................ of course!

If you are a real fan you will want to, with me, pay a special price to get first choice of tickets on the next tour. It is really an on-line magazine to replace the paper one!
So by paying a sub you are getting a whole package;-


- guaranteed priority ticket booking for the 2005 tour
- U2.Com membership card in silver, red and black
- an â??@U2.Comâ?? email address
- rare and archive video
- special downloads
- on-the-road reports and diaries from the 2005 World Tour
- exclusive interviews with band members
- Zootopia discussion areas
- digital content including screen savers, on-line calendar and other tools.
- 25% discount on first purchase from the U2.Com Shop

I am in there come tomorrow I think ....

.

Back to Home Page>

joyworkin2
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.... it is Joy again in an Urban setting ...... and I feel much more at home here ................


..... I have had some fantastic groups this last few weeks alongside workshops and beautiful buzzing stuff .....
but I feel I need a break after a run of week-ends .....
so I need some sipping of da countraeu and puffing a cigar after, it seems, such a long run.

I have loved all dis - to be amongst some fab humans who are striving to work with humans who are struggling ..... and being with such beautiful humans myself.

I love these humans full of chemicals
I love these humans dependant on alcohol
I love these humans who struggle in their mental health
I love these humans who, like me. have ability and disability.
I am blessed by their acceptance of me.

BUT ..... I have overdoneitand
need ......
to settle and enjoy life even
though I want to constantly
to
refresh the irritation
and be disatisfied.

I want to be in that place
so I can grow
and yearn and know myself better
and love me
and the unlovely
who
do not
know
they
are
beautiful.

Thank you for clicking this way
and
reaching out those finger tips to touch
my
stumbling
humann finger
unique tips

we can learn from each other
about faith
about
wholeness
about
life

One thing

you
are
a
beautiful
human
person


.

www.pipwilson.com

.

Back to Home Page>

joyworking
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
.... I do not click too much about the family because it is my blog and I don't want them telling me off but ...... this is a fab pic of Joy at work ..... she is on the left.

She returned from Miami yesterday and goes to S Africa Thursday ....... and I live in Romford ......


remember you are beautiful ........

.

Back to Home Page>

L5
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
.... I belong to a Group called 'level 5' and also a model like this which I promote in one or more of my books.

Most people stick down at 2 and 3 levels and never try/strive/enjoy/bare/touchfingertips at L5.

We need to do all levels but the Joy of real;
communication
relationships
emotional exchange
humann learning

.................. is when we share L4 and L5 which in my experience is authentic -
'telling others who we are' x 2

Today it may mean that you start the level climbing and in that risk climate (inside you) there is a journey less travelled ......


loveitloveitloveit

.

Back to Home Page>

story
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
"In the days after Hiroshima,
people were never so close to their families and never so hedonistic.
The world was a much more fragile place when they saw what the splitting of the atom could do.
Suddenly, the world had a sell-by date, perhaps.
This album was no time for philosophizing.
This is about
who do you love,
how do you love,
why do you love."

Bono.

.

Back to Home Page>

071103_don_mcmullin
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
... better do my blog before midnight ........ and you will know that I want to tell you who I am..... always...

I don't take medication ..... non of the blood pressure tabs that many of my peers need to take. All seems well other than my right eye is usually crying. I have a blanket sort of thing which swings around in that eye which the specialist says is a jelly type thing which will drop off eventually. I has been taking it's time!

The last few days I have had a tweak of a head ache ....... not a lot - just a little dig ...... and now a cold sore on my lip ...... and I have felt a bit drained ...... only pumping adrenaline when I went to see Jill Scott at the Brixton Academy on Saturday with the beautiful Janet and Charlie hmmm.
Think ..... with my feeble mind ..... that I have overdone it and my body is in catch up.
The glory of God is a person fully alive - and I have tripped over the bucket .... I am ok thanx ..... feeling brighter since Sunday lunch which was tonight, Monday, ....... daughter joy had just flown in today from Miami and fling out Thursday to S Africa so we grabbed the chance to dine at theirs tonight ....... AND IT WAS GOOD!

because I have missed a day of blogging - not often I miss - you agree? ..... I have much to tell you but my right eye leaks - I need a good night for the energy for the morrow ....... but excited because today was U2 day - the new album arrive ..... so get it if you have not already - it is such a great wondrous thing .......

The pic above from one of my favourite photographers - is of a war torn/shell shocked soldier ........ I feel for them ......

More from me soon ...... bless you big ...

.

Back to Home Page>

showme_card
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

"All Because of You"

I was born a child of grace
Nothing else about the place
Everything was ugly but your beautiful face
And it left me no illusions
I saw you in the curve of the moon
In the shadow cast across my room
You heard me in my tune
When I just heard confusion

All because of you
All because of you
All because of you
I am, I am

==========



Back to Home Page>

.


..... thinking about this ........ see the posting below ....... a snip here;

"A small entrance hall or passage between the outer door and the interior of a house"

Some people get stuck in the vestibule of the house.
They get so obsessed by the entrance that they do not go further.
Exploring the rest of the house.
Enjoying every room in the mansion.

Jesus said he is the door.
The bible talks about him being 'the way'
He said it too
but
it seems to me that what Jesus talked about
- mostly - mainly - prioritised
was
is
all about something else

The Kingdom = the house
the Kingdom = the mansion

Jesusjesusjesus
some say
I love him
he has been my way
he is my way
he has showed me the way


the door is fab
and
I then entered in to explore the Kingdom House
seek first the K.....

HE came preaching the Kingdom .......

I believe that the whole of life is to do with Jesus and God ...... he has a doorway but also an BIg House, a Big Mansion
with many rooms ......

"Seek first the Kingdom of God and all things will be added unto you ......."



.... just thought that .........


.

www.pipwilson.com

Back to Home Page>

LouMoby1
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
..... vestibule...... I just like this word ....
ves·ti·bule is the pronunciation of "vestibule"

1. A small entrance hall or passage between the outer door and the interior of a house or building.
2. An enclosed area at the end of a passenger car on a railroad train.
3. Anatomy. A cavity, chamber, or channel that leads to or is an entrance to another cavity: the vestibule to the ear.


I guess you always wanted to know that ?

Catharsis = 'letting go'
is far more important .......it is connected to the soul .... unlike a vesibule......

.

Back to Home Page>

shoot
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
....... the album is out on Monday and you can even buy it at midnight in central London - Megastore - at a shop which starts with a V

The lyrics are powerful and the music ....... well ........ it is so good it needs constant replays so it gets under the skin - slices the soul - permeates the pours - tickles the taste buds ........

I think this pic is fab with the emotion running really pure and raw.

Tonight it is an overdue Curry with friends.
Tomorrow Jill Scott in concert in Brixton.
Late night taped view of the NZ v GB RL game hey hey.
Sunday Joy flys back from Miami

Tuesday my friend Paul flys to Sudan with Christian Aid .....

The Glory of God is a person fully alive ......
go get

.

Back to Home Page>

.
.......... Catharsis



....................... A technique
used to relieve tension and anxiety
by bringing repressed feelings and fears
to consciousness.

I scream at the TV when the Rugby League is on

I go in the mosh pit at a gig

I let my interior scream to loud music

I ..... wonder what you do?


Had a good chat about this ...... one young beautiful human said he punches doors .......

.


Back to Home Page>

.
...... I usually say to Joan
"I feel happy"
but this week it did not fall easy on my lips
So I had to delve to see what is going on
who am I at the moment?

I don't feel sad.
I feel more of a foggy haze in the parts of my life were I normally 'feel' that glow - that is usually there - usually for many reasons, as I do not depend on one thing for energy and motivation.

Then I get it .........
I have had a row of week-ends ....... pleasure in most parts but ...... I think I just need to space out a bit and enjoy some personal space rather than enjoy 'being' and 'working' and 'becoming' with others.

So the reflective me THINKS he knows what is going on ...... but do we ever?

Today about 3600 eNewsletters went out from the desk of pipdotcom .......
well via Tomek actually ............
coz he has the brains and the technology.
If you did not get one - it is because you are not on the list which requires a little sign up. You can find it one click down into my home page.

'Seek the shalom of the city
for in it's shalom
you will find
your own
shalom'

loveitloveit

.




Back to Home Page>

cancan2
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
.... forgot to mention the Founders name - see below;


Last year 147 YMCAs in England reached over a million people from over 240 communities.

The YMCA is a worldwide movement, committed to meeting the needs of young people regardless of their gender, race, ability, age or faith, particularly in times of need, by providing high quality programmes in seven integrated areas:


Housing and Homelessness - The YMCA is the largest provider of safe, supported accommodation in England for single men and women in the 16 to 35 age range

Sport, Health, Exercise and Fitness - More than 50 different activities available from 120 sites in England

Crime and Safety - Prevention work and work with young offenders, ex-offenders and those in prisons

Training and Education - Life skills, vocational qualifications and job search for 250,000 people

Personal and Social Development - Enabling young people to realise their potential

Parenting and Childcare - The YMCA runs a variety of parenting and childcare programmes designed to promote healthy parent and child relationships

Money and Work - YMCAs run a range of programmes covering everything from budgeting skills to job placements

.

Back to Home Page>

.
...... just listening to the U2 radio one live gig ..... on the 'listen again' feature on the beeb

All the lyrics for the album are now up on @u2.com

how about these ....... these are massive lyrics
speaking to my soul .......


"All Because of You"

I was born a child of grace
Nothing else about the place
Everything was ugly but your beautiful face
And it left me no illusions
I saw you in the curve of the moon
In the shadow cast across my room
You heard me in my tune
When I just heard confusion

All because of you
All because of you
All because of you
I am, I am

I like the sound of my own voice
I didn't give anyone else a choice
An intellectual tortoise
Racing with your bullet train
Some people get squashed crossing the tracks
Some people got high rises on their backs
I’m not broke but you can see the cracks
You can make me perfect again

All because of you
All because of you
All because of you
I am, I am

I'm alive
I'm being born
I just arrived
I'm at the door
Of the place I started from
And I want back inside

All because of you
All because of you
All because of you
I am


.


Back to Home Page>

canopener2
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

....... well he was when he started the YMCA 160 years ago ....... near St Pauls in the East End as it was ....... now he is in an oil painting behind some beautiful humans from the last w/e ...

IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT ...... if you don't want my monthly eNewsletter tomorrow
don't fill in this in now

or
maybe you may wish to click dis way and join the family?

.

Back to Home Page>

uneque bits
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

Back to Home Page>

violence
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

...... I have worked midst it for years and still do and it hurts ..... .......

What can we do?

Being
peace lovers
not enough
being
peace
MAKERS
is

.......... make it ..........

Love
loving
not
enough

instead
make
love

.

Back to Home Page>

.

The U.S. Army School of the Americas (SOA) is a combat training school for Latin American soldiers located at Fort Benning, Georgia.
SOA graduates have been responsible for some of the worst human rights atrocities in Latin American history, including:


Two of the three officers responsible for the assassination of Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero in 1980

-Three of the five officers responsible for the rape and murder of four U.S. churchwomen in 1980

-19 of 26 responsible for the massacre of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper, and her daughter in 1989

-The man convicted in Guatemalan courts for the assassination of Guatemalan Bishop Juan Jose Gerardi in 1998

-The man arrested for the murder of Colombian Bishop Isaias Duarte in 2002

see

.


Back to Home Page>

can2
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

... this Dunford conference house - NOT centre ..... and this week-end was special for so many. I think so many humans feel a bit isolated and have role conflicts when working for the ymca ..... yes even in a Christian Association.

Mind you - those who are not a thought out/active person of faith ..... THEY would feel like that too.

I like the thrust of both belonging side by side and working out of spiritual things - together. Of course I like the individual ymcas having a distinctive strategic Christian mission.

Loved the buzz in the workshops and I got some excellent feedback ....... the gang left tooled up with loads of ideas to add to their existing repertoire.

I will slip a few more pix in of this fine event .....

you are beautiful ....... get my eNewsletter due out soon - so sign up or miss dat ting ....

bhp
.

Back to Home Page>

dpPreach200b
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
.......... I like that - seeing that at least 80% of communication is non verbal ......

Could I draw your attention to the item below as boring as it may sound zzzzzzzz

.

Back to Home Page>

.

....... soon - so very soon I will be sending out my eNews ....... some 3600 .... and I beg you to check you have clicked in your email to my website here;


If your email has changed over the last two years I would appreciate you unsubscribing the old one and inputting the new because ...... the old ones bounce back at me and are a pain to handle in quantity.

ALSO ...... if you feel ok about it ..... I would be happy for you /if you recommend my web-site or/and blog to others.

ENDOFADMINISTRATIONHQNEWSANDNOWBACKTOREALLIFE

bhp

.

Back to Home Page>

3onblobtree
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
.... below is something I clicked for the met Region of the ymca ......... there is a new one every day this week from a different person ....

bhp

.

Back to Home Page>

YMCA & YMCA
INTERNATIONAL WEEK OF PRAYER

14th – 20th Nov 2004
A Week of Prayer item prepared by Pip Wilson formerly of Romford YMCA and currently supporting Kingston and Wimbledon YMCA and Welwyn YMCA amongst others.


"do something everyday that scares you"
my favourite fridge magnet
*
*
"I slashed my arm to the bone"
A statement to me from a young man who I had 'known' for six months - but these were the first ever words spoken to me.
*
*
"I am a spiritual person"
I am an alcoholic"
Two separate statements from a young man which were separated, proceeded, followed by nasal noises, grunts and unheard stutterings of a drunken soul.
*
*
I cannot survive my work without reflecting.
Four books have come out of this.
I need to do it - even if nobody clicks those keys to read my reflections.
I need to put my soul through the shredder daily - and then put it back together in a new way to be able to move the next fat leg, the next step along 'the Road less Travelled'.
As I do this bit of reflecting - I will insert a few links below so, if you wish and have time, you yourself can go deeper ..........

I do my reflective practice on a weblog now http://pipwilsonbhp.blogspot.com/ sometimes called a "blog".
After years of paper trailing my reflections I want to say 'how it is' in public. Also I want to do something practical which comes from my favourite book ever:- 'Why am I afraid to tell you who I am'
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0883473232/104-1434854-8311935?v=glance
I want to tell anyone who wants to read 'who I am' and in that journey of discovery - how it is working out.
The truth is - I don't know who I am unless I take the mask off and examine the human behind the behaviour - I need to take my clothes off my soul.

Someone asked me recently - where do I get my wisdom.
Don't laugh!
My first thought was - get lost - you are asking the wrong person. Then I thought differently. I went deeper - I tried the 'eyes wide open' trick.
We all have wisdom - all have had unique lives AND still having ......
So I answered the question. http://www.greenbelt.org.uk/insight/page.php?id=260
In short - I said - I get what I yearn for by working - being - and becoming by feeling those who are fragile, hurting, damaged, homeless ............. because in that environment I myself discover who I am.
That is my take on 'wisdom'.

This 'week-of-prayer theme is about "Leading Change' and I love the title. Believing that we need to change all the time. That is why I yearn for disorder, dissatisfaction, unease, incompleteness and by pressing the refresh button often. Refresh the unease.

So the man with the slashed arm http://pipwilsonbhp.blogspot.com/2003_05_01_pipwilsonbhp_archive.html



I offer my all to him.

And the groups I lead .........
This risk stretches me – too.
This risk troubles me.
This risk hurts when I fail to do what I aimed for.
This risk hurts sometimes.
This risk is sometimes failure.
This risk fantastic at it’s best and better than that so often.
I never fail to be impressed at how humans can respond to challenge.
http://pipwilsonbhp.blogspot.com/2004_03_01_pipwilsonbhp_archive.html

And I am reminded that the greatest of us humans ...........
nothing in my hands I bring ......
it is not so much as what is in 'the hand'
- IT IS 'the hand',
the leg,
the body,
the heart
- the ...........
.................. every thing.

"God want what we have not what we haven't" - as is says in the Living Bible.

When I friend died during the last year I blogged about him.
About how great he was.
He was even more honest than that - read my blog about him:-
http://pipwilsonbhp.blogspot.com/2003_10_01_pipwilsonbhp_archive.html

..... and remember you are special and unique .....

bhp

www.pipwilson.com

Dance like no-one is watching
Sing like no-one is listening
and
Love like you have never been hurt.



daily online diary/blog
http://pipwilsonbhp.blogspot.com/
................... I encourage you to subscribe to my regular e-newsletter here:-


http://www.pipwilson.com/Pages/E-Newsletter%20Page.html



The YMCA & YWCA Week of Prayer is marked in around
120 countries.

This year’s them is Leading Change.

Issued by:
David Myles
Regional Secretary
Metropolitan Region of YMCAs

07831 760658

david.myles@england.ymca.org.uk



Back to Home Page>

like_a_kiss_1
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
......... Michael my friend has sent me these words .. ..... and I tink it is beautiful ....... for your soul ..... I offer ..........


THE FIRST OF THE GANG ......... MORRISSEY


you have never been in love
untill you've seen the stars
reflect in the reservoirs

and you have never been in love
until you've seen the dawn rise
behind the home for the blind

we are the pretty petty thieves
and your standing on our streets
where Hector was the first of the gang
with a gun in his hand
and the first to time
the first of the gang to die/oh my
Hector was the first of the gang
with gun in his hand
and the first to do time
the first of the gang to die/oh my

you have never been in love
until you've seen sunlight thrown
over smashed human bone

we are the pretty petty thieves
and your standing on our streets
where Hector was the first of the gang
with a gun in his hand
and the first to do time
the first of the gang to die
such a silly boy
Hector was the first of the gang
with a gun in his hand
and a bullet in his gullet
the first lost lad under the sod

and he stole from the rich and the poor
and the not-very-rich
and the very poor
and he stole all hearts away


.

Back to Home Page>

maslow
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

... of these out of a muesli box measure scoop - M&S actually .... but too tired to talk tonight so will see you tomorrow ...... is that a date?

Got caught up in the M25 shut down today - an oil tanker had overturned on Friday and there is four day clean up ...... a two hour journey turned - twisted - sad - tired - slow - into a nearly 5 hour journey through urban London ...... through Croydon, Streatham, Brixton, and the Tower Bridge ........ and home to lager lager Romford ....... stink ....... see you tomorrow.

.

Back to Home Page>

vision
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
...... I am at the 'Can Opener' conference in Dunford House in Midhurst, W Sussex ............ we are opening the Can ...... it is a conference looking at the Christian and Spiritual issues within the ymca in England ........ funny .... I was born and always lived in England and yet I feel NOT English but of the world.

It was a slow day at first as I was in recovery from a busy week and then a slow drive here around the M25 which could be described as a 'car park' rather than a freeway!

We are opening the can in terms of looking at the issues around a Christian Movement which struggles to be and live out a distinctive faith.

I heard here that you can buy a shirt for £3 at a/s-da ..... confusing google .... who are owned by W-all stinking mart who rip off the poor around the world so you can buy trousers for £8 too.

Anita Rodick told us at Greenbelt that to shop at that supermarket ........ means we rob the poorest of the world so we get cheap clothes or/and food!

Working in hostels with homeless humans I am hearing constant words like these;

"I hate Christmas ......... "

It does me good to hear things like this and feel it.

I feel ok ....... but a little angry and yearning about life ...... I suppose it is about the rich and the poor and I am rich and feel the poor ........

He who was rich became poor .........

.

Back to Home Page>

.
.
.
Just
because
someone
doesn't
love
you
the
way
you
want
them
to,
doesn't
mean
they
don't
love
you
with
all
they
have.
.
.
.



Back to Home Page>

.
..... excellent stuff on the Greenbelt website ....... the talk at the Sunday morning sevice which certainly inspired me enough to buy the cd's by Ched Myers .....
.......... read it when you have a moment ...... here


.


Back to Home Page>

beans
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
..... here I am listening to U2 and prepping for a late-ish night tonight ...... and then into a week-end and I wonder if I will need to take the four big pair of knickers and the eight pair of womens tights ...... often come in handy at a week-end ........... don't let your imagination go too wild now ...... they are games equipment and I will take the 'Rizla Race' equipment - new game which will be a certainty for the week-end.

U2 wise ...... I will be recording all the live stuff on radio one next Tuesday as my Audio Hijack system comes into it's own and does the job of an old fashioned cassette tapex10!
I will then keep the recording for eternity (take to heaven with me! - or I guess - second thoughts ...... the band will be there playing non-stop eh? .......Yahwey)
I will then have it on/off my iPod at anytime I wish hey hey.

Last night I was tired and enjoyed two Czech beers of excellent quality and only one cigar. Too tired to blog - unusual for me ......... I usually cannot stop myself ..... I need to unload - record - reflect.

Yesterday I met with Martin/friend/book advisor/inspiration-originator of great things ..... we met in a Fair Trade Coffee shop in Covent Garden as I travelled home from work.
It is a High quality Fairtrade coffee shop in the Thomas Neal Centre, Earlham Street, London, WC2H 9LD from 10am to 7pm daily. By name Progreso.
Note this in you 'always with you note book'.

All Progreso coffees are certified Fairtrade and organic as well as approved by the Rainforest Alliance, which protects wildlife and natural resources.
I had one with a flavour ....... hmmm.
First and foremost, Progreso serves fantastic speciality coffee in an honest and soulful environment. It is indoors in a well amongst some trendy shops.
If you prefer there are Organic teas and Fairtrade fruit smoothies as well as pastries, sandwiches, soup, cold drinks, Fairtrade chocolate and yogurt with Fairtrade honey.
Why not give it a whirl if you are ever in the London Town? I could bumb into you because it will become ........ a regular meeting place. Because ......
..........Coffee growers are suffering through prices that have fallen 70 per cent since 1997. Millions of farmers have had their livelihoods destroyed but Fairtrade offers a solution. Certified Fairtrade coffee is already the fastest growing segment of the UK coffee market with consumers purchasing 2306 tonnes from shops and supermarkets in 2003. Progreso pricing is competitive. A regular latte or cappuccino is £1.90 and a single espresso costs £1.20.

Still cannot remember the flavour I had .......

My boots are on and feel a bit heavy after a summer of trainers ......

Yesterday, lastly, I created another new activity using an M&S scoop from a muesli box.
The group was fantastic and the debate and level 5 sharing of the soul was moving and life stretching/changing.
I will try to get these stubby fingers to type it out for you ........

..... thanx for being there AND ......... remember it is good that you are being there but better to be ............. 'becoming' there! :-)


www.pipwilson.com

.

Back to Home Page>

.
.......When I despair,
I remember that all through history the way of truth has always won.
There have been murderers and tyrants, and for a time they seem invincible.
But in the end, they always fall.
Think on this always.

-- Mahatma Gandhi


.


Back to Home Page>

.
....... Brant Christopher I met at Greenbelt ...... a singer and a beautiful human ...... not fair to just call him a singer ..... more than that.

We talked in the GB aftershow and other great times ...... and he has created a song ...... the lyrics here and the mp3 to come .....




Beautiful Imperfection
======================

by Brant Christopher and Gary LeMaster



An old oil canvas hangs crooked on the wall

Blindingly obvious from where I stand

Temptation to straighten the view from the hall

Missing the beauty of the artist's hand



You can pick it apart and look for correction

Try to find a better reflection

Maybe you should question your obsession

What you missed was beautiful imperfection



Two lovers walking, playing tag with “I Love You’s”

Shouldn’t be so hard to understand

Instead we judge them for the partners that they choose

Missing the beauty of the artist’s hand



You can pick it apart and look for correction

Try to find a better reflection

Maybe you should question your obsession
What you missed was beautiful imperfection

also see the link on my website to an article titles 'Beautiful Imperfection"

.




Back to Home Page>

spill
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

..... here is something I do .... a recent reflection ...



A group gathered around a pile of sandwiches at lunchtime-ish.
After the consumption washed down with mugs of tea - always quick when breakfast has been missed - I kicked the group off from the informal chat into a leader led process which they are used to.

I handed out a paper which said that a child from birth to age five gets 478 negative messages a day.
"Don't."
"Stop that."
"You little ..........!"
The paper had a list.
I spent very little time with that but moved on quickly to -
I asked everyone if they saw a glass half empty or half full. I went around the group and everyone commented. All gave sincere reflection to the question and a large percentage of the eleven present spoke in the negative.

Introducing the session very informally - I suggested we look at the issue of 'positives and negatives'.
The next step was a try with something never attempted with this community before.
Everyone was given a slip and asked to write their own name on it and into the hat it went. Mine too.
The draw resulted in all having a name which was not their own. My plea then was for each to say something positive about that person. Even if they had never met before - a reality.
It was fantastic. Everyone did it even if some struggled and had to be helped/encouraged by the group members. The brother to his sister was the slowest response. A real struggle.
Also a 'first time' member of the group with a total strangers name in his hand. He did it. It was an affirmation communicated well about her clothing.
He did it.
I felt good to see and hear the words stumble out.
Real.

Then I moved in with some other questions;
1 Do you remember positives or negatives mostly from you life experiences?
2 Do you normally speak mostly positive or negative?
3 Do you think positive or negative?
4 What are the feelings when you get a positive or negative?
They did it.
We did it!

Now we are talking about humans in the group who have met some pretty harsh experiences of;
- being rejected as a child
- seeing a friend stabbed to death
- abuse
- mental health issues
- alcoholism
- drug misuse
- and multiple issues for some.

Not only did they say that the negatives in their lives have an impact now, they said what they were - owned them and not pretending and hiding behind a mask.
Faces stilled.
You know how sometimes the skin becomes drawn and passive - it is because the interior human is being disturbed and comforted at the same time.
Disturbed through the recall of life experiences.
Comforted by the support of the group - the realisation that they are not alone - and the first time facing of reality as it was..... and maybe is.
It was fantastic and powerful.

The session moved to close with a reaffirming of the objective which had been floated at the start.
1 Thinking and practising being positive.
2 Considering our reality in our daily lives. What do we do by habit?
3 Choosing to go down the positive route - a strategy for a new life.

I floated, lastly - these four life positions - soul positions - psychological positions;

1 I am not ok ................ you are not ok
2 I am not ok ................ you are ok
3 I am ok ...................... you are not ok
4 I'm ok ........................ you're ok

..... and they said which they were ..... because they had become aware of themselves ................ and to tell it ..... 'how they were' was important .

........ I hope you can position yourself 1 2 3 or 4 ............. ?

The other groups I lead are very different - and never the same people.
Also;
Different objectives, styles, tools.
......... and a stumbling to get close
and be
and become



bhp

.

Back to Home Page>

matinjude
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

........ we were led into a fantasy journey at the week-end ....... we were in a Art Gallery and we were asked to see a work of art on the wall ............... and this was to become Greenbelt .......

I will talk you through mine, what happened in my imagination,..... I will say what happened, - remember we were asked to do the steps but it was our imagination - mine in this case!

The art gallery was big and bold. Windows and gaps between rooms were from floor to ceiling and there were the usual silent guards standing in the doorways but these were humans with faces made of wax ...... unreal, motionless, faceless.

The picture on the wall became greenbelt and I could see a party going on - a real groove with everyone dancing and in a groove - a pleasure .......... I joined the picture, as asked, and there I was dancing too ...... loving it ......... and then Jesus was there too ...... and he was dancing as one of us - dressed similar to us - not a 'stand out' human .......... then he spoke to me and then me to him ........ he said to me;
"I read your blog...." ...... and I smiled, we smiled, and I said to him ......
" I read yours too and would love an update" .........
"I want to know more ...... I love it"
........... and we smiled with lots of eye contact ... and we danced together in a real good groove ....

Leaving the work of art which was on the wall, as asked, I found myself still dancing on the floor of the art gallery and around me, these wax faced guards, were now real and the wax faces had gone ..... they were dancing too .....

It ended ......

I was sat next to Jude, 'the velocity girl' - as John Peel called her, and we shared ours together and loved the experience of hearing and telling ...... would love to read yours Jude?

It was an experience.
I loved it.
It was real and loved Jesus being part of the groove.
It was intimate and full of powerful images.

Thanx for listening to this ...... it may sound weird to you - but fantastic for me!

www.pipwilson.com

.

Back to Home Page>

gilles
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.... forgive the jumble of words below but this could be the best evening in your life ..... at My fav London Club called Cargo ..... and Gilles hmmm ....

GILLES PETERSON WORLDWIDE AWARDS
Those tuned into Radio 1 this week (and still on 'listen again' via the BBC website) ..... would have heard the announcement of the Worldwide Awards to happen at Cargo on Wednesday 15 December.
With overwhelming response from voters Â? there will be a live show / ceremony featuring live performances from
Sa-Ra (first & exclusive UK show),
The Brownswood Ensemble: Feat,
Ty,
Eska,
Jade Fox
& special guests.
DJ sets come from Bugz In The Attic
and
Gilles Peterson.
Categories for the awards include WW Album Of The Year, WW Track Of The Year, Club Night, Label, WW Session, Compilation, The John Peel \'Play More Jazz\' Award, plus a couple of surprises.

Check:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/urban/peterson.
A limited 200 tickets will be available to the public @ http://www.ticketweb.co.uk

.

Back to Home Page>

biggroup
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

...... but ..... ......... after a week-end away ..... and a good one, I dove into the Joan-Taped Rugby League game ....... what a game and we won - even.
Watch the Ozzie game this coming Saturday to see how GB faces up to the big boys. I will miss it because I have another week-end away.
And pleased about it..... the week-end that is.

Today was an unusual visit to a vibrant capital city ......... unusual because I met both daughters Joy and Ann ........ what a treat as we sat and had a light lunch in a French style cafe in Covent Garden - London Town.
Ann slipped out of her office in Covent Garden having filmed to her best level last week ..... directing humans to stick cameras and sound recorders up peoples noses in the cause of a programme called ...... (and this is to confuse google)
....you are what you stinking eeaatt!
Joy was not only seeing her dad but seeing the country!

Then I hired a personal shopper to take me around doing some shopping.
Yes it was Joy who makes her living styling models vip's and her dad!
I was after some footwear for the winter commuting through an urban landscape ....... wet/snow/ice and brrr. So I was thinking of an all leather trainer type - ideally a boot with some tread so I will not slip under a train from a wet platform........ 20 shops later ..... ducking and diving down all the side streets - as you do in her biz .... I found three pair in the last stop. Two, nice and comfortable - with no tread stink, and then one pair which I now have. Prada by name ....... they will be on show over the next three winters - at least.
Also bought with an old HMV voucher;
1 U2 Vetigo single ...... for the b side
2 Tiesto (3 years on the trot voted the best DJ in the world) doing his Olympic mix ........ yes the one he did as the athletes paraded this year.
3 The Return of Jack Splash by Plant Life.

My favourite music - as you may know, is a fuze of different kinds - usually with a dance influence - but fused with either Jazz, Soul, Hip Hop or more .......... we in the UK seem to be at the forefront in the creation of such art. Loveitloveitloveit.

I have so much to click but the brain and the slow fingers will not work too well.

But ...... how about this
The two Chinese characters;
1 One which spells 'danger'
2 Another spells 'opportunity'

TOGETHER ..... in Chinese .... they spell...........

......... 'crisis'

Sometimes the most dangerous times bring out the greatest opportunities.
I don't say we seek the danger but when we go through such time ......... for me - they were, at the end, some of the most wonder-FULL.

www.pipwilson.com

Back to Home Page>

fireplace
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.... this week end was special and I am left buzzing ....... the main impact was being with these great humans and becoming with these humans ......

We did the biz of course and the days were long with debate and sharing our understanding of the Greenbelt Mission and how to deliver a BETTER FESTIVAL from that.

The pic here is a selection of humans ..... 30 of us were there ...... on the Greenbelt week-end ....

I hope to place some more pix of the gathering in my photo section on my web-site ..... keep your eye there ..... hey hey

.


.

Back to Home Page>

cotswold ........
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

..... been away all week-end in a beautiful place in the Cotswolds ..... hmmm

It is Greenbelt country and it was a week end of key humans - Staff and Trustees/Management Group.
We were all bunked up in this fab farm which could have emerged from an old English novel.

More to come ..... and pix ......... just giving you a good reason for being missing from pip do com

you are beautiful ......

.

Back to Home Page>

scan_448114551_1
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

... this was me leaving the scene with the sign - not nicked but taken when the building was demolished ........ not the white trainer/boots ..... all the rage they were .......


Asbo for youth who threatened television crew

Laura Barton
Thursday November 4, 2004
The Guardian
" In West Gorton, Manchester, it seemed the perfect location for Shameless, Channel 4's successful drama series about the dysfunctional Gallagher family. In the end, however, it allowed for an uncomfortable example of life imitating art.
Yesterday, Manchester City magistrates served 17-year-old Steven Birchall with a wide-ranging antisocial behaviour order for the "climate of fear" he brought to the Gorton estate.
The court heard how Birchall and his cohorts ran amok through the estate, drove a tractor on nearby open land and told a local Asian shopkeeper, "We'll beat you, smash your car and your windows".
The intimidation escalated to such a degree that the television crew were forced to call the police, who were told "the youths had persistently disrupted filming and had acted in an intimidating fashion," community beat officer PC Tracey Burns told the court."

This reminded me of ....... when I worked in East London with da boys who loved the activity, the recreation of what we may call 'criminal activity' - a TV Crew came to film me and the work we were doing. Hmmm
Their car got robbed and at the same time someone got stabbed ......... they met a place that they only read about in the papers - or saw on TV!

I remember once ...... I was walking through he club which I run and I passed a corridor and two teenagers were fighting with knives ...... I just walked on by.

The strange thing is ....... I could tell without a second glance that they were 'play fighting' and I had more serious things to deal with. It was about priorities and you may think that is weird.

When it is tough there are always things that, in an ideal world, we would not consider.
It is good to get closer to the subject before doing a a big judgement. I often felt misunderstood - not the least by some Christians who felt that if I prayed harder and read the bible more - I would be blessed - God would bless me by making all these east End kids into nice middle class church goers and we all live happily ever after amen.

When God did it- he sent Jesus.
When Jesus did it - he walked the incarnational way - feet dirty - upsetting people - dirty people - sick people - violent people - ....... and he learned ........ the 'God made flesh' came and learned first hand that he needs to get close to love... to show it

........ to be God with skin on ...

.

Back to Home Page>

.
.............. there is a man who I see regularly who;
==============================
never looks my way
never speaks until I say hello
then doen't
never uses my name
more often a grunt
never eye contact
always the head dropped

this human person
and
yes
I WILL say
a beautiful human person
- will not change my way of
saying hello to everyone
using a name whenever I can recall it
looking at ..... the person
whilst communicating
*

I have decided to behave in a certain way
and another human
will not control my proactive communication
by their own behaviour.

I will not be a reactor
*

I know a woman who is
nasty to me
all the time
every interaction

I will be
I will not be
a reactor
*

There is some deep sense of faith and theology behind this
- I must try to understand it sometime........

bhp

.


Back to Home Page>

.... Bush again ...
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

Back to Home Page>

.
..... I am in a Bush Quote mood and this was number one in a recent top ten .....



1) "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we.
They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people,
and neither do we."

George w Bush


.


Back to Home Page>

grayalaskagod
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.... a bit like this tonight ..... a bit flat.
Bit ..... or more than that ...... about the Bush warmonger re-election ..... ..... so the picture of mess and God in it is a feeling ........... God you love the world ..... I believe that .....

Big John has just sent me the mp3 of the Bruce Cockburn and these lyrics ....... I walk this way ..... yearning ....
===============

All Our Dark Tomorrows


The village idiot takes the throne
His the wind in which all must sway
All sane people, die now
Be lifted up and carried away
You've got no home in this world of sorrows

There's a parasite feeding on
Everybody's bag of rage
What goes out returns again
To smite the mouth and burn the page
Under the rain of all our dark tomorrows

I can see in the dark it's where I used to live
I see excess and the gaping need
Follow the money - see where it leads
It's to shrunken men stuffed up with greed
They meet and make plans in strange half-lit tableaux

Under the rain of all our dark tomorrows

You've got no home in this world of sorrows

==========================

If you would like the mp3 ..... press those unique fingerprints this way ..... and Big John or I will send

Still got big feelings and trying to listen to them ...

.

Back to Home Page>

3onblobtree
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

"If we let the loggers go in and cut down all the trees we wouldn't have a problem with forest fires." George Bush


.

Back to Home Page>

story
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

" It's no exaggeration to say that the undecided could go one way or another"
-- George Bush,
US President

.

Back to Home Page>

unique
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.
...... do you remember as a child ...... or have seen it happen in a crowded superstore or shopping centre?
A small child reaches out for the big person hand and it is not there ........ panic ..... a fear of being lost forever ..... alone ..... no hand - no security - panic ........

Disorder I guess - means little order, in-balance due to a loss of certainty, a loss of security. We all have small snatches of disorder when we step off the gym jogger and the floor does not move - or we step out of a car after a long drive and find the scenery is not moving at 80 mph any more.

Some people suffer from a disorder which is a disability or an illness.
The mind of a child must be stretched when the big person hand is not there ....

When I have to design and run a session with certain objectives - it usually includes a time of fun or interaction which I call a starter.
One method I use amongst other things is non threatening touch. A beautiful way is to have all present to hold out to another a unique finger tip - unique finger print pressed against another. Great to see seven thousand people doing this with both hands outstretched in Prague last summer. Wonder-full in a small group. The largest ever 'group' was thirty thousand. A network of human touch ......

Something wondrous is to reach out a hand in the dark and know that God the big person in our life is waiting with arm outstretched and hand open ready .....



www.pipwilson.com
.................................... see new web-site as at 15 October 2004


"work like you don't need the money
dance like no-one is watching
sing like no-one is listening
and
love like you have never been hurt"



click my online daily diary/blog direct:-
http://pipwilsonbhp.blogspot.com/

................... I encourage you to subscribe to my regular e-newsletter here:-
http://www.pipwilson.com/Pages/E-Newsletter%20Page.html


.

Back to Home Page>

showme_card
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

...... if you have been following the media you will know by now that there is a big election today ..... this media ...... pipdotcom ...... and the election IS between Bush and Kerry but the voting population is a 120 bed homeless hostel !

Hear this from your presiding officer;
Turnout.......................... 19%
spoiled voting slips ...........6%
Ralph Nader ......................5%




gap here to build the tension











Bush .......................... 20%
Kerry ......................... 69%

Hey hey ........

Let us see how that matches reality in the US.
By 4am we may have a view if it is not a close call.
Or it could be 7am ........ or maybe a week or so if it is close .......

lovingyouissoeasytodo

bhp

.

Back to Home Page>

.
...... We are only hours away from the election ................
===================================

....... voted by 120 homeless humans ...... to see who they think the next President of the USA should be.
Watch this space for the results from the presiding officer Mr Pip Wilson dot com bhp vip da di da

Also ...... the votes are already streaming in from the Greenbelt Board of Trustees and the esteemed Management group ........ the result to be announced at the forthcoming Greenbelt week-end in the Cotswolds ...... watch this space for the result and AND of course the photoes .........

Today I have been working at home and
MOT ...... for the motor ...... I think I need one after the John Peel news last week!
New carpet for the hall and stairs .....
burning and ripping ...... all iMac behaviours!!
Tasting for the first time, the Bison Vodka I brought back from Poland last month
saying I love you to my beloved
catching up on a massive inbox - due to being away for endless week-ends.

And following this next week-end at Greenbelt I have another week-end conference at the Dunford conference centre - the best in the world. ....... and then there is more and that means I will miss most of the tri-nations rugby league games - stink. (this vodka tastes so sweet)

last thoughts ...... if you would like to contribute to democracy and cast a vote in the USA Presidential Election ..... ...... go to the 'contact' link from my home page and send me a email with either ;
Blog B ....
or
Blog K
in the subject box.
I will blog the result ............ at the same time as the American one is complete .....

stayforeverbeautiful
bhp
www.pipwilson.com


.


Back to Home Page>

hp_scanDS_3971730314
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

.... pix of Joan and Ann from some years ago ...... on holiday in Italy methinks ...... about twenty years ago?

Back to Home Page>

3onblobtree
Originally uploaded by Pip Wilson.

....... OK and settling down after a week-end away - working at home.
The three blobs above are from my blob tree which has 21 blobs and each can be used to come into touch with our feelings.
I find that many people have feelings, we all have, but are not able to get in contact with them. Behaviour, it seems to me, indicates how a human is feeling.
The common type most talked about is 'anti-social behaviour' but we may not be like that.
But our feelings are often in control rather than our whole-person mind in management.
I believe that we need to develop here as as part of our growth into wholeness.


The three blobs above, not men-maybe women!, all display feelings which can be read in any language by people from any culture.
I want to yearn forever to be able to read my feelings as easy as you and me can read that picture. Then the strategic mind can decide how I behave so I am response-able rather than having an internal Hitler/dictator in management control of my life.

The spiritual journey and the emotional journey are so entwined ........ along the road less travelled .....

bhp

.

Back to Home Page>