Purpose

This spring, author Scott Barry Kaufman launched his ninth book, Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization (not bad for someone 41 years old, right?!). Since Scott is one of the world’s leading authorities on the subject of intelligence, we’ll explore the difference between intelligence and wisdom.

Four years ago, at 57, I quit my plum corporate job to have more time for writing. Everybody said it took a lot of courage, but I knew I still harbored many fears. The fear that I now HAD to write, no more excuses. The fear that my writing wouldn’t be any good.

CC: Instead of our typical Friday Book Club, this week we welcome one of my favorite writers and thought leaders. Good morning, Arthur. Honored to have you join us. No article went more viral in our MEA alum community in the past year than your June 2019 “The Atlantic” magazine piece entitled “Your Professional Decline is Coming (Much) Sooner Than You Think.” Why do you think the article drew such attention globally?

If you haven’t seen Ashton Applewhite’s TED talk, I highly recommend it. But, if you want to understand her heartbeat and why she sees the time is right for an anti-ageism movement, you ought to read this book. Originally self-published, it became a hit and has led her to a worldwide speaking tour.

For the foreseeable future while we have extra time on our hands, I will offer a Friday review of a book from the MEA Library. This first book comes from the section of the library defined as “How can I connect with my soul?” The author is Michael Meade and the full title is “Awakening the Soul: A Deep Response to a Troubled World.”

What if the world is meant to take a Gap Year? Sounds better than forced retirement, right? First off, let’s acknowledge that many of us are working even harder from home, whether it’s due to the industry we’re in or the difficult fate our companies are facing.

Today, I was perusing the “Emotional Survival Guide to Burning Man” I wrote seven years ago. I couldn’t help but notice the congruence with our current quarantine conditions: Islands are More Intense, Learn to Truly Surrender, Choose Your Nest Carefully, Stay Open and Curious, Tend to Your Hierarchy of Needs, and Learn How to Give and Receive Gifts.

Does a breakthrough require a breakdown? Money no longer changes hands. Hands no longer touch other hands. Yet, hearts continue to connect as the kindling of this crisis has us staring face to face with life’s big questions and mysteries.

Many of you resonated with my post yesterday about legacy, entitled “I Am What Survives Me.” I thought I would follow up with Susan Orlean’s masterful “The Library Book,” which offers this exquisite rumination on the subject of legacy. Enjoy.

Developmental psychologist Erik Erikson offered the five questions below to help define one’s legacy. He wrote about “generativity” as being an adult’s concern for and commitment to promoting the well-being of future generations.