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After months on lockdown and restricted gatherings, there is a social need to blow away the cobwebs in your brain, a need I have found frustrating to the point of going Ga-Ga. We all need to express and explore new subjects. Social media is a great tool for extracting information but have you noticed how it leads you to the same subjects? We all suspect Google is listening and nosey about our interests. a sneaky alternative motive, somebody somewhere wants you to buy something. Do you feel overwhelmed by the same old same old? Subjects getting a tad boring and working your brain cells on a continuous repeat button?
I recently came back from a language volunteer program where we were put into discussion groups and given a list of random topics to choose from. All discussions started off with participants stating the obvious but after a few minutes, our thought process was stirred into stimulation. “I never thought about it like that.” A person declared and we were off, galloping towards some issue, brain cells fired up and actively making new ones, opinions out in the open, heads were nodding, ears opened to listening, It is what us humans do best, we love a good old chin wag, well most of us do.
Discussion groups encourage us to speak up and show each other that we are alive, kicking, and not brain dead. It does not matter about age. Young people will learn from old and vice versa. An important point. Agers may have the advantage of experiencing a longer life and so you would rightly think that the older the person is – the more they have to say. Not always the case. Unfortunately, some of us live with that annoying repeat button and as we get older some of us find we have much less to say. This needn’t be the case. When you get into an open discussion. Young people explore new ideas and naivety can turn into positive progressive thought. Personally, I love a good mix in a conversation. That is why I like to travel and meet people from all walks of life, young and old, rich and poor. Clever, funny, and sometimes stupid. The positive people inspire me, the negative offer me challenges. We all have something to say.
When I returned from my travels, back to my small-town life, which I do embrace, we all have to come back down to earth and take a breath sometimes, I knew I was in danger of feeling isolated in my home. Local cafes were open so at least I could get out and socialise. However sitting at a table alone, and often with my laptop, I found myself continuously talking to my machine. If you sit for too long you are in danger of your rear taking the shape of the chair you are sitting in. Not good!
‘People are out there,’
I said to myself, time for an event. The cafe I was sitting in daily, had an empty room upstairs. All I needed to do was get a few people up there, decide on some themes, and make an arrangement with the cafe. Easy Peasy. The room was well ventilated, covid restrictions allowed four people to a table and we could possible be back in the land of the living. The cafe owners welcomed the extra business so let’s get going.
I have arranged many small events in the past but never have I had one fill up within two hours of putting the word out there, I did not even have time to create an event page. I was right. People are eager to do something.
Since the first event, which was a cooking demo, I have now opened it up for other presenters to come and talk about their topics. Other ideas are on the table from wine tasting, philosophy club, language exchange and networking groups. Bringing people together to talk and learn keeps us healthy and wise.
My group relies on local people although I do have a lady coming to our next event from a village which is an hour away. This is wonderful because it brings new people to our town and they can see what a great place the Jalon Valley is.
So why not try and organise a small event where you are even if it is a small meet-up in a local bar. Social media has all the tools to help you. Build up a following and off you go. There are many ideas and I shall be posting a list of ideas very soon. If you need to chat and discuss some options, I would be happy to help, maybe we can exchange a few ideas.
Please leave your comments below and thanks for your visit.
Now I need a coffee.
Lauren.
