A venture into ideas
January 8, 2026
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Introducing the process philosophy of A N Whitehead
Reflections at the turning of the year
As I stood at Stanton Drew and watched the sun go down on 2025
it occurred to me that this was a simple example of what it means to be in development
– in development we support each other to live meaningful lives.
Experiencing the gradual shifting of light
in a place that’s held significance for thousands of years
felt deeply meaningful
– so much more than any turning of a clock counter
(or the fleeting flash of fireworks).
However we mark it there is meaning in this new year moment.
Perhaps this is the one time when we recognise how opposites inhabit each other?
When our thoughts naturally to turn to endings and beginnings,
we can see the truth in TS Elliot’s suggestion that
“the end is where we start from”
The turning of the year reminds us that each moment
– each step on the journey of life –
is both an end and a beginning
and we cannot begin anything without letting go.
Many journeys start on uncertain grounds
along the borders of anxiety
but I’m practiced enough now to wait
for the deep sigh that comes like a welcome breeze
with a reminder that in development
we have to let go
There is no movement without release.
If you’re not sure of this, try this little experiment that I read about this morning:
Clasp your hands tightly and at the same time think as hard as you can that you cannot not take them apart.
Then, whilst concentrated on that thought, try to separate them.
You can try as hard as you like but you’ll find it impossible
until you dismiss the thought
and accept that there is no reason in the world
why you should not let go
So I’d like to invite you to start the year
by stepping out from your front door,
to see what you can let go of
and if you can find the freedom
to begin again
in development.
“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice”
Introducing the process philosophy of A N Whitehead
The turning of the year reminds us that each moment – each step on the journey of life – is both an ending and a beginning and we cannot begin anything without letting go.
Meaning lives in the moments we experience
in our sense of connection to each other and to the constant creativity of life in development.
Remember a walk in development In the Autumn stillness a blackbird’s whistle echoes childhood voices and the crunch of broken glass while the steam from
When we walk in development the moments we experience inform our long-term development
How can we foster interaction?
All life has its own pace
Let’s take our time
