Everyone hates the economy right now; everyone, that is, but Steve Motenko. He’s excited about it and is coming to Bainbridge Island to tell us why.

The Sustainable Business Network of Bainbridge Island offers his innovative workshop, “Loving the Recession: Possibility and Opportunity in Challenging Times,” from 3-6 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Commons, 370 Brien Dr. S.E.

“In any given moment,” he said on the phone, “we have an endless number of aspects we can focus on. We can wring our hands, focusing on the fear and despair, or we can choose to look at the opportunities and possibilities.”

Opportunities? Is he joking? Not at all.

“When things are going fine, we don’t have (or take) the time to stop and think about what we’re doing or where we’re headed,” he said. “If things are slower at work, we have an opportunity to reflect and be more intentional.”

Motenko will give participants time for such reflection in his “very interactive” workshop, which includes small-group sessions to process his “four-question” strategy for mining the gift that the current “slow down” offers.

Ultimately, attendees could come away with a deeper sense of meaning and purpose for their lives – paradoxically creating a richer life out of the financial unsettling.

The event is designed to help people in all types of business – shop owners, professionals, artists, consultants, nonprofits, etc. – who want to position themselves, when the recession ends, to “ride the wave to success.”

The workshop is sponsored by the Sustainable Business Network of Bainbridge Island, a three-month-old spin-off of Sustainable Bainbridge.

Kat Gjovik, board member of Sustainable Bainbridge, who had worked with Motenko before, invited him when she saw what he was offering, knowing it would be a good fit for businesses on Bainbridge.

Cost: Free for SBN Sustaining Members, $20 for SBN Business and Affiliate Members, $30 for non-members. For information and to register in advance, email sbn@sustainablebainbridge.net or call Kat Gjovik at 842-0223. You can also register at Eagle Harbor Book Company or Classic Cycles. For information about Sustainable Business Network of Bainbridge Island, visit Sustainable Bainbridge. For more information about Steve Motenko, go to his Web site.