My Type of People

My Type of People

I’ve written before about Meredith Hite-Estevez, who leads an online cohort through The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, is a mom, professional oboist, a coach for artists and creatives and about to be a published author.  AND a podcaster.  This summer, Meredith decided to devote a series of podcast episodes to each of the enneagram numbers and how they impact creative processes and lives.  She asked for volunteers, and I thought I would give it a go.

I recently listened to the episode I was on, with some trepidation.  I wasn’t sure during our interview if I was making any sense, was rambling – it was a masterpiece of the overthinking that characterizes an Enneagram 6, but I said I would, so Loyalist that I am, I did.  And then I was sure that everyone else would sound so much more profound.

And they were profound, and vulnerable, and wonderful.  It would be amazing if any of my words made someone feel seen and KNOWN, the way their words made me feel that way.

If you want to listen, check out the Artists for Joy podcast and if you want to join the next Artist Way cohort (it’s free), sign up at www.artistsforjoy.org.

Snowbirding or Nomading

Snowbirding or Nomading

What’s the difference between nomading and snowbirding?  The line seems very blurred, especially for the self-employed and especially if you are of “a certain age” and financially fortunate.
On the snowbird side, we’ve traded a bit of winter in our beloved downtown Chicago (no, no sarcasm in that statement) for sunny Palm Springs with a touch of snowcapped mountaintops.
On the nomad side, the computers are set up, we are writing, zooming, and sending out invoices (but not all day every day, and there are plenty of long walks and pool time and leisurely lunches).
The destination has been great, but let’s not skip over the journey itself.  We happily roadtripped.  Could have been a disaster, and I admit that coming in to Albuquerque after three days of heading south and still seeing snow was not in the plan, but I wouldn’t have missed it.  Those beautiful mountain views between Albuquerque and Phoenix were great, and the weather was with us, so no knuckle-biting along the way.
And then there are the unexpected little moments, like when we stopped for gas or a snack and found ourselves here.  It’s hard to see, but in addition to the availability of what I am sure was excellent bar-b-que, the gas station across the road offered a selection of “exceptional wines”!
Adventures in April

Adventures in April

Even up north in Chicago, where we ping-ponged between eighty degree days and snowfall in April, you can feel the energy stirring.

We had a great road trip this month down to Atlanta.  Actually I was tagging along as the “trailing spouse”, a role that isn’t too familiar to me, while my boyfriend/husband taught some continuing education classes.  A great chance to check in on some friends and do a little fabric shopping (I recommend Gail K on Cheshire Bridge for what can be a deeply rewarding experience in a super chaotic layout).

A fair bit of themonth was spent working with Impact Grants Chicago.  This year I stepped up from a Financial Analyst for grant applicants to the head of one of the committees of financial analysts.  Impact Grants Chicago is organized around the concept of one woman-one vote.  Each one of us contributes $1,000, and we make as many $100,000 grants as that money will allow – usually four or five each year, It is an all volunteer organization, and it has given me great insight into a number of inspiring charitable and social service organizations that serve Chicago citizens.  Each year as we hear the stories of our finalists during site visits I’m reminded of how truly priviledged I am, and how grateful we should all be to the people who work so hard and stay so faithful to the difficult and important work of these organizations.  I truly have no problems.

Craving Conversation:  Arthur Brooks

Craving Conversation: Arthur Brooks

I’ve been aware of Arthur Brooks as a “think tank” guy, and more recently as someone who writes for The Atlantic magazine.  Recently, my husband came across an interview he did on the 10% Happier podcast for his new book From Strength to Strength, and we listened to it while on a road trip to Tucson.  Then, we each got the book.  Wasteful, perhaps, but he likes hard copy, and he likes to write all over his hard copy, and he likes to read his hard copy at the cigar bar, so that by the time he finishes, let’s just say, well-loved and stinky.  I suppose I could have read it first, but neither of us wanted to wait.

Which is a long way of saying we were pretty intrigued.  He and I have talked about a lot of these concepts before, but there was some great new language about the second stage of life – not a retirement planning book really, more about finding meaning as you go through life’s inevitable transitions, many of which are driven by simple biology.

Each of us really was compelled to keep talking about it.  For my part, I reached out to three women that I thought might indulge me in some conversation.  It’s hard to do any kind of book club thing when you are busy, and we are iin four different places in the country and three time zones, but we’re doing it – April 1 is our date.  I didn’t even want them to have to bow out if there wasn’t time to read the book, so I created a little cheat sheet, and maybe I’ll do a video.

I especially want to talk to these women, because as much as I really liked the book, he does seem to me to have a man’s perspective, and a lot of the research cited only used men as subjects.  That’s what my husband called a “Brene Brown problem”.  She outed herself shortly after publishing a lot of her work on shame, and said she hadn’t adequately incorporated men’s point of view or experiences, something she has since worked hard to correct.

I’m so grateful to these women, that they would be open to my out-of-the-blue phone call asking them to indulge my craving for conversation.

Perhaps more later ….