Beautiful Serenbe near Atlanta, Georgia was the venue where 12 of us, 4 more compadres online (and Chip online) met for an alumni cohort reunion of 28 Degrees. Thanks to Mark and Pat who, through grit and generosity, made this happen.
We hugged hello, and tasted rare & delicious wines. It was quickly evident to me that this reunion was a great idea. Many of our conversations had “after MEA, I _____ ” in sentences that spoke of realizations, change, liberation, moving on.
The “Before and After MEA” effect was clear to me.
Dinner followed with vulnerability and awe as a first course, realization and sincerity for dessert. We are all going through very different, yet similar events in our lives. We are not alone. Whether it is ending careers, empty nests, grand children, aging parents, falling in or out of love or the dreaded menopause, we are all thriving and striving Modern Elders.
The entire next day we engaged in very deep and vulnerable conversations through life updates and the LOVE exercise that became a profound group therapy session. The “since I left MEA” syndrome appeared repeatedly.
All of us have made slight to very considerable life modifications since MEA. Either we had that difficult conversation, or said a timely No, traveled more solo, took better care of ourselves, moved to new places, quit a job or a partner, became closer to our parents…liberation & change was a common thread.
28 compadres left Baja transformed, but maybe we didn’t know how much. Ten months later, seeing each other, we now know how much we changed. Our families have witnessed, enjoyed or suffered our slow but steady transformation to amazing Modern Elders.
There have been many cohorts at MEA, but ours is unique (I know, all MEA cohorts say this!).
28 interesting, complex, vulnerable, close compadres. 27 new friends that taught me dozens of lessons in our 5 days together, and that continue to share their beautiful brains in our Whatsapp group and monthly calls.
We WANT to stay connected. There is true connection, real MEA MAGIC.
Chip makes this happen with absolute bluntness and open communication, intelligent conversations and stripe-your-heart-open therapy disguised as group dynamics and stickers in our chests.
I am forever grateful to my days at MEA. My outlook on life changed and this reunion made me realize the value and force that a group of middle aged friends can create when we meet to simply share life experiences, open hearts and curiosity.
Saludos / Best Regards
Pilar Sánchez
Diseno y Metalmecánica
Pilar Sánchez is an alumni of LIFE PURPOSE@MEA. She is a modern elder, happy mom and Chief Happiness and Culture Officer at DYM (www.dym.com.mx), a metal stamping company in Mexico City.