serendipity & magic
A few years ago, in order to keep myself from being too sedentary on days when I’m chained to my computer, I began a new habit. Every time I switch tasks — like I’ve just finished a meeting, and am about to go into a writing session, say — I take a walk around my block. It’s a way to get my steps up, sure, but it also helps my mind switch gears so that I can come back to my desk focused on what I’m about to do next.
Since returning from England, I’ve noticed on these walks that the air is getting warmer (almost alarmingly so, this early in the season). As a result, signs of spring are showing up: people are mulching their gardens (an aside: am I the only person who loves the smell of mulch?) and flowers are beginning to bloom everywhere.
I’ve always thought it a bit weird that we generally celebrate the dawn of a new year in the depths of winter, when nature seems to celebrate it a few months later. Maybe the metaphor is that winter is for planning, and then we begin to see the evidence of our work a few months later.
Or maybe it’s that we should plan, yes, but also trust the magic and serendipity of seasons — that inevitably, the universe will always ensure that things will unfold as they should. Maybe.
Speaking of plans, magic and serendipity: at the end of last year, I turned in my resignation at a job I’d held for a little over three years. The primary reason was because I wanted to place all of my focus on my own work: I’d written and launched two books during the time that I was employed, and I wanted, at long last, to see what I might be able to create if my time was 100% my own.
I sat with my journal, noting everything that I wanted to accomplish for 2024. I’m staring down a deadline for my next book, so naturally, writing is a priority. I’ve always loved teaching, so I tentatively wrote this down, bolstered by the fact that a few people, after having read Radiant Rebellion, messaged me. “You should hold a retreat,” they said, independently of each other. I’d love to, I thought. I so believe in reframing aging to be about evolution and empowerment. But man, the administrative work behind holding a retreat is so hard. I don’t know if I have it in me to pull one off this year. But I wrote it down in my journal anyway.
Enter serendipity, in the form of the lovely Chip Conley.
Chip is a businessman, a hotelier, and a New York Times bestselling author (check out his latest book, Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better with Age). Chip also happens to be the creative mind behind the Modern Elder Academy, the world’s first midlife “wisdom school” aimed at spreading wisdom and creating community all around navigating transitions. (For the record, I knew he was a kindred spirit when I heard him say, “What if midlife isn’t a crisis — what if it’s a chrysalis?”) And because Chip’s expertise is in boutique hotels, what he has created at his MEA campuses are intimate, luxurious spaces that are designed for introspection and connection.
Chip had read Radiant Rebellion, which prompted him to reach out to me. And then — enter magic — he invited me to join his faculty at his brand new Santa Fe location, to teach a weeklong workshop based on Radiant Rebellion.
I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I am about this.
First, you have to understand that Santa Fe is a place that means a lot to me: our first vacation as a family of three was to Santa Fe, right before Alex’s adoption was finalized. My best friend married his love there (and Alex was their flower girl). We’ve returned to spend time with close friends. Santa Fe has always been a place that was about love and connection for me. So the opportunity to retreat with folks in a beautiful setting again? Yes, please.
So I do hope that you’ll join me in Santa Fe at summer’s end. The workshop is all-inclusive, which means that once you arrive at this gorgeous space, everything is taken care of — the actual workshop, your luxury accommodations, and three organic meals every day. It’s located on an ADA-compliant private ranch, where there are hiking trails, yoga, meditation … even a few parties. We’ll talk all about creating and curating a meaningful, purposeful, light-filled life, of course, and naturally, there’ll be tons of time for journaling and introspection.
Also: because you’ve all been so supportive of my work, if you’re interested in attending, MEA has allowed me to offer a 10% discount — simply add the code GF10 on checkout.
Please join me (and to be clear, all ages are welcome — this is for anyone who thinks about what they want for their futures, truly). As you can imagine, space is limited.
And if you know someone who you think would enjoy a week at a beautiful spot in the desert, together with folks who are committed to inviting serendipity and, yes, maybe even a little bit of magic into their lives, please feel free to spread the word.
I hope I’ll see you there.
A little about the new book.