Interchange In Person
It’s time to get back into the swing of the blogging thing. Daily posts during my #RSRSeesTheUSA road trip were a habit I’m glad I stuck to, since that was one of the ways I created a trip journal for myself.
One of the big takeaways from that trip was how much I appreciated my ability to spontaneously, serendipitously fall into the next experience, and the next after that. I’m very aware that in the 104 weeks that I’ve been practicing daily meditation (I’m a sucker for data tracking), my ability to focus on the present moment has significantly increased. My natural thought patterns have often been prone to rumination about both past and future worries. They still are, really. But I do feel better equipped these days to see those spirals and remind myself that the present is—literally—where it’s at.
On my road trip, away from familiar places and patterns, it was easier to let that focus on the present take the lead. Whatever choice I made with the options I had became the next part of the trip. There was no itinerary to compare to, because I didn’t make one beyond my first two weeks. There was no Platonic ideal to measure my trip against, because I was the only one there, and whatever trip I had was the trip I had. I left home, thinking I’d be on the road for about a month. I was gone for two and a half, most of which time was guided by day-to-day, in-the-moment choices.
So here I am, back home and seeking ways to share the deeply felt sense of reflection and and present-moment-awareness that came hand in hand with that adventurous, serendipitous state.
I’ve been thinking about the way I interpret adventure, and about how to lean into my values of TRANSPARENCY, COLLECTIVITY, and VULNERABILITY, and here’s one of the things I’ve come up with.
The next iteration of Interchange (my series of workshops) is happening IN PERSON, and it’s called Adventure | Reflection.
Interchange in person (nyc)
Adventure | Reflection
July 30, 2022 1-3pm
What can we learn about ourselves if we approach an experience as an adventure? In this in-person session, we will explore new and familiar surroundings while we let curiosity and serendipity take the lead.
My intentions with Interchange are to let the topics and content come organically (they’re not planned out months in advance), and here’s a perfect example of why.
I’ll be spending a week in New York City at the end of July/start of August, which is partly to see old friends, partly to meet up with some colleagues about future projects, partly to take a dance class in an actual studio instead of on Zoom, and partly to get my hair dyed anew (hint: the dyes I’ve picked are called Sea Witch, Neon Peach, and Sushi). But why can’t it also include a workshop where we get together to have some reflective adventures in spontaneity live and in person?
No reason whatsoever why not. So I’m making it happen.
I am inviting people to come be curious and open-hearted together for a couple summer hours in Manhattan.
I am going to lead some intrepid people through experiences designed for discovery.
I am bringing my recent months of adventurous serendipity to anyone who wants to register, even if that adventure is only taking them a few blocks from home.
Does this plan tick my values boxes?
Transparency? Here you have it. I’m not going to give away the whole plan, because serendipity and curiosity come best in the moment. Instead, I’m sharing here how I’ve been inspired to create this session.
Collectivity? Yes, Interchange is a way for me to facilitate what I hope are unusual and thought-provoking sessions with groups. It is also about the exchange among participants. That ephemeral magic that only the people in the group can really know. We’ll be our little community of no more than 18 people for that afternoon, and then each of us will take whatever we’ve gained off to all the other communities we are part of.
Vulnerability? Oh, how many ways this makes me feel vulnerable! This is the first Interchange I’ll be leading in person. It’s going to include the option to head out into Manhattan for independent exploration time. All of that makes my group management, planner self pretty nervous. Also, what if no one signs up? Ok, yes, there are already some folks signed up, but that doesn’t make this fear disappear. What if none of those people show up? What if I’m offering something that isn’t what people want? What if the ephemeral group magic doesn’t happen? What if people’s lack of interest in Interchange is a giant reflection of their lack of interest in me and who I am as a person?!
Right. Rumination spiral alert!
Yes, I’m feeling good about how this session of Interchange is an extension of my values.
I’m excited to be offering it, and I’m looking forward to seeing which intrepid, curious explorers decide to come along for this ride.
If you would like to be one of those explorers, you can register for this session yourself. And if you can’t make it but know someone you think might want to come along, please pass this on to them.
Creative Prompt Coda:
Pass this post forward
With a haiku about it
To one of your friends
