Guest Post

After completing an eight-week MEA online course on Navigating Midlife Transitions in November 2021, I was automatically eligible for MEA alumni membership.

I recently heard Seth Godin being interviewed and he shared a story about an experience he had swimming in the ocean in which he almost drowned. He said that although he was a strong swimmer, that morning, he found himself struggling with a serious undertow.

In his 2014 Ted Talk, Simon Sinek sheds light on the concept of knowing a company’s “Why.” He examines “Why they do what they do” over simply “What they do” or “How they do it”. With over 66 million views, it is among one of the top Ted Talks.

I recently returned home to my wisdom watering hole at Modern Elder Academy. As the guy, who was once dubbed the ‘Youngest Modern Elder,’ I get a true sense of gratitude knowing I have started this migration earlier in life and get to continue to meet those who also chose it for themselves for years to come.

Have you ever experienced something so powerful that it leaves you in awe?

"I want to live, I want to give, I've been a miner for a heart of gold, It's these expressions I never give, That keep me searchin' for a heart of gold, and I'm getting old.” - "Heart of Gold" by Neil Young

One of my happy places is in the middle of a culinary market, such as a shuk in Jerusalem amid sweet and savory halvah cakes, and pyramids of marinated olives, dates, apricots, paprika and za’atar.

During my second Modern Elder Academy course, Living and Working on Purpose, I was inspired by the distinction Chip Conley shared about having a job, a career, or a calling. In my journal, I illustrated it as stairs leading to the ultimate goal: living out my calling.

My new work buddy is ChatGPT. To me, she identifies as female, although she didn’t actually tell me that. Since she doesn’t have preferred pronouns you can choose to assign whatever gender identity you like, or not.

This used to be my motto. I’ve leaned on it when I’ve needed courage in all areas of life, including dance; a passion that I have limited to the impromptu dance parties in my kitchen, where I can be free to really let go and enjoy the movement.