Please take the time for (some of) these 12 films and get in touch

What do you most like doing for others? Let's offer it within a local (Triratna?) Timebank, Let's stop marginalising people and work on creating "a more caring & sharing" community & model this to the UK!
On the Toothpaste 007 Channel I started in 2008 (and which has really flourished since moving to Hastings -25,000 views so far) I offer a dozen of the videos as ones that I've chosen for people to find most easily.
When there are over 400 to choose from, a dozen favourites does not cover the range of what I'd most like to share with you.
Thus, whilst you can go later to the YouTube site (and subscribe to Toothpaste 007 Channel?), here now is my latest selection of a dozen of my favourite videos.
Below that are my favourite blogs and web links to give you an intro to the social transformation I'm interested in engaging you in.
The blog I produced for 20 hours of time-exchange with Maria Arpa (CEO of the Charity I'm closest to -The Centre for Peaceful Solutions) is this one:
http://ps-shop.org
and here's a quick clip from that blog about Maria and her partner David and workign well with conflict:

I may sound abrupt at the start of the above clip. I push people's buttons from time to time, no doubt.
I hope you have the patience, imagination and inspiration to get back to me with your idea of how we could connect in a way that works for us (& all).

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Toothpaste007?feature=mhee
Here's a page I'm proud of (though it still needs editing towards the bottom) about the anniversary pier fire event I put on in Hastings (& attracted Police to):
http://restorativetechnology.blogspot.com/p/1st-anniversary-pier-fire-public.html

And here's an Introduction to the Boddhisattva Ideal:
http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=LOC1020

Paul Crosland AKA Lend-It-All-Man is happier by living less with money & more in a "face to face" (time) exchange, sharing & gifteconomy

2nd December 2011, The Metro reports greater happiness amidst economic downturn.
The site I'd love you to record your interest in a healthier form of economics is:

brightontimebank.info

The times we are living in, or approaching, are transition times, when the choice is between giving up  unsustainable consumption or death of our species. Logically, there is no alternative, and by sharing we can save resources and learn co-operation with each other (and harmony with the earth that sustains us).

2011 Lend-It-All Man Films



2010 Lend-It-All Man Films






The skill-set of greatest value that I want to continue to work on is that of sharing as well as that of handling our conflicts:
http://freelenders.blogspot.com
http://imperfectidealist.blogspot.com
http://sussexcommunity.blogspot.com
http://restorativetechnology.blogspot.com

November 2011 - a new approach from me to supporting a more caring & sharing community

For me, having hit a new wall (or 3) in the last fortnight, to let go of things and live a simpler life is enough work for now. 
My provisional decision (arising out of this morning's 'insight') is to let go of all co-ordinator roles. However much I love Chris Johnstone's "Dream Cycle" which emphasises that for personal change it helps to dream, to plan, to do & to review, I have tried to apply it beyond it's limits. My mistake has been to apply this template to community development in such a way that I take on co-ordinator roles (often self-appointed) & push the planning & doing stages beyond my sustainable capacity & beyond any collective ownership; this has been expressed in recent painful criticism as "treating people as pawns in my own game".

What appears to be the healthier approach to take is if I now consciously limit myself to taking just two roles -as a dreamer and as a supporter. 

This way I will still hold onto my visions for a more caring & sharing community; I simply acknowledge that trying to push it doesn't work. I give my time to supporting team projects that fit with my values. I offer my dreams in person and on YouTube etc and sometimes they influence people enough to generate some synergy. This synergy theme is one that is in my most popular YouTube film at present. (This film, with well over 7,000 viewers has gone down from having a rating of 95% thumbs up to just 91% in the last week):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a68lTjIpnMI&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Approx 500 viewers a week are presently watching "India, 2nd Most Powerful country by 2036" which involved meeting someone with a synergy dream and raising with him some time-line and human rights issues. My analysis of what is successful in the modest contribution that this big-talking video makes to the world is that it seeks to work with realities and hopes out there, then create additional ideas to support and help structure the plans and developments that are beyond the capacity of those discussing the ideas.
In Hastings I wonder now how the dreaming and supporting will manifest as I work on stepping out of co-ordinating & let the community interest company (Freelending CIC) go.
Feedback, as ever, helpful & usually (at least in the long-term) welcome.
Lots of love,
Paul

Paul Crosland's Mission Statement (revised Nov 2011)

"I give my service to generating a more caring & sharing Hastings & St Leonards.In doing this I'm learning & practising inclusivity and happiness.I moved to St Leonards because the arrestees after Hastings Pier Fire were from St Leonards; addressing all these wounds is a driving force for me.I hope my work contributes to creating a town in which no-one wants to set light to any buildings.In working towards this goal, I treat people ('arsonist' or otherwise) with respect and dignity."

Expressing my November 2011 hopes

Now, after those two introductory films, here's a letter to two colleagues (both working on a project bringing Police and young people at risk together to make music and perform);

- I copy it because it provides a flavour of what my work is about:
Dear Elise & Alison

I hope you are both well?
I wonder how your October is ending and what you most wish for in November? Having wished for it, I wonder if you'll invite me into the planning, the doing & the reviewing as I know that my November hopes relate to on-going development of the relationship with both of you.

The launch of "St Leonards Sharing" Timebank at the White Rock Hotel on 28th November (10.30-2.30) is one thing I hope you can help shape/participate in to an extent that feels comfortable for you. Currently more than one video a day is being produced on YouTube about St Leonards Sharing Timebank and a person a day being recruited onto the project - though this may just be a blip!

Alongside the Timebank work, my main working life hope for November is for me to be working on a joint project for Home Office 'anti-riot' money by Dec 1st deadline, informed by Dominic Barter's Restorative Circle work.

Again, I would really appreciate your support, and most immediately a date in the diary within a week of next Thursday for an initial meeting. Please make suggestions (other than pm on 7th or anytime on 8th).

My ideal would involve all attending coming with some feedback about this latest radio interview from my friend Dominic Barter. I would welcome any email feedback on any of the above and/or the 52minute interview below; even if you only have time for a part of it over the weekend or the early part of next week.

http://audio01.will.illinois.edu/focus111011b.mp3

Looking forward to your reply and the prospect of the synergy that the three of us can (in my mind at least!) undoubtedly bring to RJ in East Sussex.

Kind regards
Paul
0780 70 66 202 - if a call will work better for you than an email?

Asking you about your interest in happiness & sharing:
http://stleonardssharing.info

"St Leonards Sharing" Timebank videos & press release at:
http://actionforhastingshappiness.blogspot.com/p/ideas-bubbling-out-of-happiness.html

Thank you for your time reading the whole email and following up what you were moved to do.

******************************************************************************
9th November "Reality Check" communication from Alison:

"Thanks for your offer Paul but I'm really not interested. But please understand that I don't tend to hold onto things...I'm not angry anymore....just more and more perplexed. 

However, this doesn't mean I want to work with you. I don't and I want to be clear about that.

I ask that you also move on and refrain from trying to bring me back 'into the fold'. It would be a pointless exercise and I'd much rather you used your limited time looking at your 'methods' with others and looking after your physical, financial and mental health. I say that as a concerned and caring human being for another- no matter how much I disagree with your principles.

Take care

Alison"

You are the trim-tab

Steven Covey, in his book "The 8th Habit" talks about those people who take small positive actions which set bigger positive actions rolling. He likens these people to a small object on a mighty ship's rudder; this rudder within a rudder is called a trim-tab. By moving the trim tab, the heavy rudder moves and, from there, so does the might ship.
BE THE TRIM-TAB now:

What I'm really looking for is 2-4mins of your time on-line that will most probably make a big difference in St Leonards ; please fill in the questionnaire:
http://stleonardssharing.info

And please hold me to account in delivering the vision of "St Leonards Sharing"
Thank you for your time reading this/ actioning it.

http://communityforce.natwest.com/project/5827
Thanks for looking - maybe this will give a better impression: http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/community/group_is_aiming_to_get_hastings_smiling_again_1_2805957

Thank you again for your time reading this/ actioning it.

Redefining the business I'm in & the question I'm asking you

Mediation Support encourages us all to process the conflicts that block our happiness and we do our best to take responsibility in our communities for the values about which we care: justice, sharing & harmony, for a start.

So the business is conflict, sharing well-being & happiness. 
How do these relate to each other?
Well, only the happiest human being is not in conflict.
Skilful sharing reduces conflict & builds well-being. 
My interest is in whether you (& the groups to which you belong) are in agreement with these ideas for a better life for all?
Perhaps now you could share what is the most important thing that you have to share?

Endorsements for Paul's work

1) From a Metropolitan Police staff member:

2) From a Victim Liaison Officer at a Youth Offending Team:

3) From my local MP, Amber Rudd:

Amber Rudd MP
Member of Parliament for Hastings & Rye

House of Commons

Mr Paul Crosland
Action for Happiness
Southwater Area Community Centre
1-2 Stainsby Street
ST LEONARDS-ON-SEA
TN37 6LA

Dear Mr Crosland

I am writing to congratualate you for leading such an inspirational group as Action for Happiness, with the aim of making Hastings a happier place in which to live.

This is a wonderful initiative, and it is so good to know that you and your group are doing all that you can to remind us all of what is important in life, such as connecting with other people, being active and healthy, learning new skills, giving to others, and learning to appreciate the good things in our lives.  Indeed, gratitude is a powerful and energising force for good.

I see that you and your group have been handing out happiness hints to commuters at St Leonards Warrior Square train station, and conducting stress-busting sessions and talks.

I thank you and your group for offering our town such a valuable and positive contribution.

Kind regards,

Yours sincerely,

Amber Rudd

4) From the representatives of The Youth Justice Board, The Police Improvement Agency, The Prison Reform Trust and The Foyer Housing Federatation who awarded the "SafeGround" team (of whom I was part), 1st prize for the idea most likely to reduce youth custody and youth offending. (Now called Restorative Technology Ltd):

Jailbrake weekend- sicamp from Flip Jobs on Vimeo.

5) From Maria Arpa, CEO of The Centre for Peaceful Solutions

6) From Wendy Freshman, The Mediation Service

Other endorsements to be added:

• From the Mayor of Hastings & St Leonards, Kim Forward
• From the chair of the Hastings Pier & White Rock Trust, Ray Chapman
NB see the leading letter in the Hastings Observer of 10th June:  "We need to act if we want justice":

http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/observer-comment/letters/we_need_to_act_if_we_want_justice_1_2756987

Article from the 24th June 2011 Hastings Observer:

http://www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/community/group_is_aiming_to_get_hastings_smiling_again_1_2805957

wherever I go, I take my conflicts with me; and other gifts

If I had to summarise 22 years of learning about co-operation in the face of crime, I'd say that my main shortcoming was not learning about Deep Democracy earlier. If it is practiced well, I don't see it likely that any future Restorative Justice project would fail.

Beyond our habit of burying our conflicts, or just pushing them around

"Deep Democracy & Restorative Justice" workshop planned for July 2012. Subscribe to newsletter to stay informed on this & other related community-building initiatives: SUBSCRIBE to free updates  from Mediation Support Ltd: http://www.mediationsupport.info/subscribenewsletter.html