And yet, other than retirement and death, we have precious little in the way of rites of passage in the second half of life. MEA alum Karen Brown suggested we come up with a list of celebratory opportunities during this period. Here are five ideas I have. Will you help me add to this list?
- “Life Begins @ 50” Birthday Party. MEA is committed to helping the world see that the U-curve of Happiness shows that we get happier and happier after 50. Our recent contest led to more than 150 people submitting 500-word essays. I am delighted to announce that Gabrielle Pelicci will celebrate her 50th birthday in August with 7 friends (for free) going through a private MEA workshop at our Santa Fe campus. If this sounds interesting to you, check out my co-founder Jeff Hamaoui’s “Life Begins @ 50” workshop in Baja this spring.
- The “Freebird” Fête. Another way to describe an Empty Nester whose kids have all left home is a “Freebird.” Imagine cranking up Lynyrd Skynyrd and celebrating with all of the parents you’ve gotten to know from Little League games and Boy and Girl Scouts. Now, it’s time to let your freak flag fly. Think of it as the parents’ revenge on Ferris Bueller.
- The Menopause Weekend. Finally, women are talking about what it means to be in perimenopause and what their future will feel like when they’re no longer child-bearing age. The good news is there is some indigenous history on how they’ve addressed this life stage, and a growing number of websites can give you ideas on how to create a gal’s weekend. You might also consider MEA’s Menopause Boot Camp workshop in late June in Santa Fe.
- The Creaky & Freaky Kanreki Party. In Japan, Korea, and China, 60th birthdays are celebrated as a “second childhood,” a time of rebirth. When a person turns 60, they have gone through the Chinese zodiac cycle five times and are now back at their original birth zodiac. Simply put, turning 60 is your chance to start over again. Yes, our bodies are getting a little creaky, but we can still get freaky on the dance floor. I say, let’s do it.
- Second Saturn Return Celebration. In astrology, the Second Saturn Return happens around 57-60. Saturn represents our karma, life lessons, and responsibilities so, by the time you’re experiencing your second return (the first one happening in your late 20s), you’re full of wisdom and optimism. If you want to learn more about this, I’d recommend checking out the MEA workshop hosted by Steven Forrest, one of the world’s most famous astrologers, on May 20-25 under the big skies of our Santa Fe ranch.
What new celebrations might you suggest?
-Chip