International Journal of Appreciative Inquiry
Poems by Anne Radford
Appreciative Inquiry (AI) was a lifeline when I first came across it in the early 1990s, and it continues to be a gift as circumstances change and new interpretations follow. It’s appeal was the new way of working. My consulting practice became more joyful and beneficial than the deficit-based practices common at the time. AI went from being a consulting practice to a way of life, one that stayed with me as I left work behind and moved to a different age and stage. Its as though nothing changed, but everything changed. Life now is about living life slowly. Where each breath and step is an important micro-moment.
Appreciative Inquiry: The Gift That Keeps on Giving
Thank you, AI, for finding me, This gift that keeps on giving.
Along my path from cynic to enthusiast, Where doubts became narratives, Dissonance harmonies.
Tender steps towards being a practitioner; A new world opened up. The surprise of mystery. An openness beyond predictability. New constructs Disrupting years of traditional thinking.
Risking the walk Alongside mystery As a regular companion.
Sometimes a stroll. A scary leap With a comforting quotation to lean on.
In this new phase, Without plans or agendas, The knowns and unknowns Bring new meanings Into the essence of what gives life.
Each moment emerges: A gentle improvisation, A newness, A connection to a larger consciousness. A different knowing Where timeless concepts Of Interbeing,
Interrelatedness And interconnectedness Become the new guides.
Each moment A carefulness, kindness and worldliness.
AI is still present With rich surprises, Continuing the mystery.
Walking the Way 2023, p. 28
Indra’s Net: Ancient Image of Oneness, Wholeness and Diversity
David Cooperrider brought the metaphor of Indra’s Net to those of us working on the AI Consulting Charter in the early 2000s. He offered it as a vision for AI Consulting, as a creative matrix of generous opportunity and rich relationship. It is a metaphor that stayed with me and connected even more powerfully when I started studying the interbeing and interconnection work of Thich Nhat Hanh.
Interbeing, Interconnection and Indra’s Net
Living slowly, Step by step, Breath by breath.
The subtle and silky joy of being in Indra’s Net. The knot of interbeing. The web of interconnection. Being aware of the spaces.
A different consciousness, A wider dimension Of humility and influence.
An infinite net. No beginning. No end. Nothing exists by itself. Everything reflects everything else.
The story of such a special gift Becoming an image. Transcending. Linking All our cultures, Where every moment is a beautiful moment.
Walking the Way, 2023 p. 32
This image of Indra’s Net was used in Walking the Way. Anne Radford (1944–2025) lived in London. Walking the Way and Walking the Way: A Coda give glimpses into her thoughts and musings on living life slowly.
Cook, F. (1989) The Jewel Net of Indra. In J. B. Callicott & R. T. Ames (Eds.), Nature in Asian Traditions Of Thought: Essays in environmental philosophy, pp. 213–229. SUNY Press.
Poems by Joan McArthur Blair
Blue Water Bridge
Look down into the blue, blue water, Stand close The eddies powerful as they curve in delight Rounding the struts and racing off Strive to see where the water has been And where it is going The curiosity relentless, The imagination unfurling A moment Just yours
Wonder
I believe in wonder Simple, jaw-dropping wonder: The rainbow after the rain The hang glider floating The ocean still and blue A human smiling So much wonder – just there. I call out to you See the wonder Let it feed you Let it slake your thirst Let it salve your sad soul. Believe in wonder.
Poems by Ada Jo Mann
Words Create Worlds
Words create worlds. What you focus on grows as mysteries unfurl to enhance what you know.
Shine the light on what works, Watch the problems recede. Find what underneath lurks and you’re sure to succeed.
Then celebrate strengths with all who have played and have gone to great lengths for a future that’s brave.
Follow the Sun
With AI as your guide you’ll Discover the light, For everyone knows what you focus on grows. Leave the weight of the past behind us at last, Try just for fun to follow the sun. Shine your sight on what works, Lay aside all the quirks, Find strengths galore for your Positive Core. Pick several key themes to enact as your Dream, Find peak moments to tap as you Design your roadmap. Now Delivery is key with results all can see: By keeping it real Destiny will prevail.
Positive Image, Positive Action
Behind every complaint there is the positive opposite yearning to be seen.
If you choose to you can turn any problem into an Opportunity.
People and flowers turn their heads toward the light.
If you strive for change, first create a bold image of the Future you most desire.
Then set your compass in the direction of your dream. Positive image, positive action.
Villanelle for Appreciative Inquiry
Appreciative Inquiry saves the day, just as a sunflower follows the light by shining on positive forces at play.
Focus on strengths and don’t let them say nay, often you’ll find them right in plain sight– Appreciative Inquiry saves the day.
Some folks hold back with their feet in the clay, others envision a future that’s bright by shining on positive forces at play.
Gather your stakeholders, please don’t delay, Though there might be some who put up a fight. Appreciative Inquiry saves the day.
You may find your problems will soon fade away as if they have vanished during the night by shining on positive forces at play.
Celebrate your successes in multiple ways, Insure this new found roadmap will stay. Appreciative Inquiry saves the day by shining on positive forces at play.
Thanks to Jane
With love from Ada Jo, August 12, 2019
Thanks to Jane, Almost 30 years ago I flew to Cleveland to meet a man named David.
Thanks to Jane, We created a different paradigm for international development building on existing strengths and celebrating local successes.
Thanks to Jane, We travelled the world for seven years spreading Appreciative Inquiry from Africa to Asia, Latin America and beyond.
Thanks to Jane, My life and the lives of thousands around the world is blessed with the will to first Find the best and go from there
When the sun shines I will feel Jane’s smile, When the moon rises Look for her among the stars.