Somewhere between making a note to myself about where to buy thigh-firming leggings for over-50 legs and reading the latest of over 200 responses to pmh32561′s question: “I’m going to back to school at 54…am I crazy?” – I had an epiphany.
We have become a community in the purest sense of the word. And we’ve accomplished what no group of 50+ women in history have ever done before: we’ve done it online.
In order to define community, I headed for my worn paperback by an old favorite of many of ours — Scott Peck (surely you remember The Road Less Traveled and his book about community, The Different Drum) and put Vibrant Nation to the test.
Writes Peck: “If we are going to use the word meaningfully we must restrict it to a group of individuals who have learned how to communicate honestly with each other, whose relationships go deeper than their masks of composure, and who delight in each other, make others’ conditions our own… But what, then, does such a rare group look like?”
I suggest it would look a whole lot like this:
Joie to Maggie De Vore: “I am so thrilled to find a place to be authentic. False bravado is like a walking time bomb, but does not have to be. The truly brave soul is the one that admits the biorhythms are a big shaky, or it might be necessary to open the toolkit and tweak life a bit so it will run smoother.”
And this:
Hylagirl’s response to Slamond’s post, “What’s wrong with me?” After RN Slamond reported sending out 200 resumes with no response, Hylagirl wrote: “I am not in the health business; however I would love to take a look at your resume and see if there are some red flags that prevent potential employers to contact you…Email me your resume and I may be able to help you with it.”
And what about this?
SeaWriter to Stephen Reily: “We are fortunate to have VibrantNation.com, which allows women to convey questions and information confidentially with a sense of security and truthfulness in this fine community of peers. There’s nothing like it.”
What we’re doing is making a difference — as truly functioning communities always do. We are, in fact, growing both the size and depth of our personal networks — a complete reversal over what has happened to women 50+ in generations past. And while we have each retained the independence of spirit worthy of those of us who committed to taking “the road less traveled” many years ago, isn’t it nice that we are at last finding so many companions with whom to carpool as we go?
Agreed. I never thought I was vain until I had a mastectomy at age 39. I was devastated and told the doc I wanted to wake up with implants. Now at age 60, I am lopsided and wondering if I was just avoiding the inevitable. You get what you get and you
Sounds very interesting.
Spike, you are awesome! Love your perspective, thanks for sharing.
Carol your truly on a roll with excellent articles this week.
I am excited to be a new member of this amazing group of women!
Thanks, Catharine. One of the great things about VN is having the opportunity to experiment with “Voice.” I think we’ve also evolved as communicators over the past year–me included.
Carol, another wonderful contribution. I love the idea of “carpooling”. That rang true for me. I feel like being part of VN is like carpooling through life with smart, aware and supportive friends.
Excellent. It’s the cyber version of “girl trip” will all the giggles, laughs, tears, angst, grief, resolution, and resilience and more. I love this place and thank those who created it.
I love the phrase “Carpooling down the road less travelled” – That describes perfectly what I’ve been doing for the past few years. Got laid off from my intense corporate job after 25 years, and headed in the opposite direction – moved away from the “keeping up with the Jones” rat race and off to the quiet & beauty of Cape Cod. Opened up a bed and breakfast, then found money flowing out, but not in, in the off season – so went off to find a seasonal career – took the tax course and used my background, experience and started doing taxes for HR Block in the winter. Great mix for me. Very touchy feely in the summer at the Inn, then very cerebral, logical during the winter… Both very people oriented.
Carol, it’s the last day of December and you slipped in the Title of the Year with this one!!! I love it.
Thanks for getting this community started. It’s a great place to hang out.
Being a part of a community, whether it be online or in your local community, it is important for the heart and soul to share thoughts, ideas, and a common understanding. Brilliant blogging and best of wishes for all in the New Year!
yes it sure feels like a community of intelligent, caring and yes delightfully quirky friends…. thank you Carol and the rest of the start-up team here
I truly feel blessed to have found this group. Althoug I’ve not posted a question myself, I have gleaned wisdom and humor from many. It’s a great carpool! Thanks!!!
Thanks all…and to the VN team behind the scene, too! All I can say is Woo Hoo! Road trip!!!
I am in awe of this site. I’ve been searching for a group of authentic women that can safely state their mind and I found it here. Thank you and Happy New Decade to everyone.
Welcome ActionSpeak! Cool name, by the way.