An exploration of how I came to be aware of Appreciative Inquiry, what made me receptive to it and how I gained a theoretical and practical understanding. I describe my first attempt at using AI and three examples of boldly applying it in different contexts – in shaping professional lives, in my church and a plastics factory. I am aware of the vibrant and supportive AI learning community around me as I have helped to set up a network of local AI Practitioners in Milton Keynes, UK.