EILEEN MCDARGH'S
Resiliency Report
Published monthly and when the mood strikes.
Update from Eileen
If you are old enough, you might remember this expression from Star Trek: “Live long and prosper”.
Interestingly, “live long” doesn’t work if you lack health, and “prosper” is not about having money in the bank but living a whole and fulfilled life. Sadly, I’ve met many executives who have achieved professional success but seem empty and searching.
For the last four years, I have joined Chip Conley and men and women from around the globe to explore how to love midlife. Chip is the founder of the Modern Elder Academy. You can learn more at http://www.MEAWisdom.com. You will be astounded by the depth and breadth of the courses and world-renowned facilitators.
At the end of February, I joined 28 strangers for five days at Rising Circle Ranch in Lamy, NM. Under the guidance of Chip and author Ben Katt, we explored our respective “Hero’s Journeys”. Nope, not woo-woo stuff, drugs, or weird rituals. Instead, it was time to reflect on the pattern of a journey as old as Odysseus.
I’ll review Katt’s book later in this newsletter. But here is one of my biggest takeaways: Life needs companions. You can do all the biohacking in the world, but without meaningful relationships, your time on this earth will be short-lived.
We became a close cohort in the five days we gathered, talked, shared, wrote, ate, and hiked. We named our cohort The Second Breakfast Club. Since leaving the ranch, we’ve convened twice in two weeks to chat via Zoom and see how each person is doing. Many of us have already found ways to gather in our respective cities. Yes, it’s all about relationships.
I think Chip summarizes it best:
Longevity is not a competition. It’s a privilege. It’s best shared with others because that’s the ultimate life-hack: relationships. Life is not about wearables; it’s all about shareables.
You know my following questions: Who shares your heart? Who shares a laugh? A cry? A hug? I’m here if you want to share with me.
Until next month….
For all My Book Lovers
Imagine filling a pair of saddlebags with books and magazines, swinging it on a mule or horse, and riding the hills of Appalachia to bring reading materials to people who had none.
From 1936 until 1943, this literary project involved dedicated librarians who rode up steep hills and swollen creeks to bring reading materials to isolated people in Kentucky, where illiteracy was as high as 35 percent. They would go into homes, read to lonely people, and teach reading. These women made the trek at least twice a month, covering up to 120 miles at a time, and earned $28 for their efforts.
Money was not the driver. Instead, it was a belief that reading is fundamental. Estimates are that they reached some 100,000 people.
How sad and ironic that officials seek to ban books and control content today in my nation. I’m a former English teacher, and this breaks my heart. Books brought information and the world to my rural Georgia/Florida students.
Live long and…
March 2025
Words To The Wise
OK—enough with the serious. Let’s have some fun!! Enjoy these thoughts:
I started with nothing....I still have most of it.
When did my wild oats turn into prunes and All Bran?
I finally got my head together. Now my body is falling apart.
Funny, I don't remember being absent-minded.
All reports are in. Life is now officially unfair.
If all is not lost, where is it?
It is easier to get older than it is to get wiser. (Actually, I disagree with this. My time at MEA proved otherwise.)
If at first you do succeed, try not to look too astonished.
Must-Read Book
"The Way Home – Discovering the Hero's Journey to Wholeness at Midlife" by Ben Katt.
As promised, this content kept my cohort talking, thinking, journaling, and discovering during the five-day retreat with the Modern Elder Academy. With the vulnerability and candor of an author who has lived this journey, Katt distills the wisdom in Joseph Campbell’s classic Hero’s Journey. The pattern involves three stages: leaving the familiar, falling into the unknown, and rising to wholeness.
I am slowly leaving my familiar profession as a keynote speaker to explore the next stage, which involves contributing to and growing my talents. I’ll keep you posted.
About Eileen
If you are looking for a unique keynote speaker in resiliency, a facilitator for executive retreats, a speech coach or an emcee/moderator, then you want to work with Eileen McDargh, CSP, CPAE. Eileen has spoken for audiences as large as 15,000 and facilitated groups as small as 18! She is the author of seven books and other products that you can find in her online store. The British Research firm of Global Gurus ranked her #4 among the top 30 communication gurus worldwide. Why not hire Eileen for your next event?
Ranked 3rd in Communications
This is the 7th year in a row that I have been ranked in the top 5 in communication. Global Gurus surveys some 26,000 business professionals to determine rankings plus professionals also vote.
Dear Friends,
It’s that time of year again to vote for Global Gurus in various categories. I’ve been in the top 5 of Communication Gurus for many years. Global Gurus is a British research firm that goes out to some 20,000 people to determine standing.
Click below to nominate me as inspirational. It might ask you to log in using either Linked in or Google. You are asked to log in to assure people can only vote once. You’ll then see my face pop up along with other nominees. Select and then near the bottom, you can rank me as “inspirational ”or not.
Please let me know if this works. You are all the best.
Many thanks. I am most grateful for YOU!!!!!
