My two-year-old grandson approaches a big slide he’s never been down before. Tentatively, he starts to climb each rung of the ladder leading to the very top of the slide.
As his distance increases from the safety of the playground floor, he periodically checks behind himself to make sure his daddy is still there. Reaching the last rung, he plants his little bottom on the highest part of the slide. – glances back one more time at his dad – and then – lets go.
He reaches the bottom in record time – aided by the slide’s innate slipperiness.
He gets up –runs towards his dad and announces proudly, “I DID IT! I DID IT!”
WE are now all calling him the “I DID IT KID.”
Why? Not because he is so spectacularly special (which he is, of course) but because he tackles practicing new skills daily. Along with that struggle, he needs support and encouragement. But alas, the last action is all his – the idea that he can overcome his fear of something untried – something new and unfamiliar – and take a risk.
It’s hard sometimes to muster up the courage to just “try stuff.” To venture into uncertain terrain. Nora Hiatt is doing just that.
She’s a woman inspired from Toni Morrison’s wisdom: If there’s a book you want to read, and it hasn’t been written, then you must write it.
Well, there was an event Nora had been wanting to attend, but could never find. So guess what? She created it.
On Thursday, October 17, in Indianapolis, she is birthing a new concept entitled NEXT CHAPTER – a full day of events aimed at women over 60 who are eager to re-imagine this stage of life.
The day-long workshop will feature breakout sessions, a gourmet lunch and me as the keynote speaker. Also? Some tantalizing surprises – none of which Nora will reveal!
What she does say is this: “Now, as we start retiring, this generation of women is changing how we view ‘the R word’ once again. Some of us are continuing to work for pay. Others (including me) have structured a regular blend of volunteer gigs that allow me to keep my brain active, be around people of diverse ages and still travel whenever I want. And we are looking at how we will spend the next decade or so.
“Next Chapter,” says Nora, “will meet women where they are and provide an opportunity to hear from other folks who are not only grappling with similar issues, but coming up with creative approaches and solutions. This day is about US. It’s time to get moving.”
Break-out session topics will range from maintaining brain health and keeping fit, to writing a memoir, to mastering the intricacies of Facebook, to downsizing.
My take: Let’s all bust out of our self-imposed silos. Stop clinging to outmoded behaviors and mindsets. Reach out. Broaden our horizons. It’s a bit like college living, 50 or 60 years later — minus the frat parties, exams and pre-game tailgating.
Think of this special day as a time of exploration and adventure. – a time to write your own “next chapter.”
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=6hbl6j5ab&oeidk=a07eg2em3bj82967c6d
