Fearless Fabulous Project

When I read “Composing a Life” about 15 years ago, I was in the midst of some massive life changes. I was taken with Bateson’s?idea that life, like art, is improvisational.

The book compares the lives of Bateson–the daughter of?anthropologists Margaret Mead and George Bateson–and four of?her female friends, all accomplished professional women.

These women may have had some advantages not available to?everyone, but it doesn’t diminish the enjoyment of learning?about their multiple roles and varied life experiences and?recognizing opportunities in one’s own life.

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Composing A Life, Mary Catherine Bateson, life as improvisational art, life changes

Where in the world did Andrea go? No, I’m not one of those people who started a blog ’cause it was trendy and then ran out of things to say. No one who knows me would ever believe I’d run out of things to say.

Actually, I’ve been busy delivering and learning from my pilot “Fearless, Fabulous Project” offering this winter. I’m about to turn around and offer it to the paying public now…. at least that’s my plan!

I am so lucky and appreciative to the women who signed on to be my guinea pigs… I mean Fearless, Fabulous Females! They have given my great insights into what works, what doesn’t, and how very different and similar we all can be when faced with life transitions or taken by the idea of reinvention. They have given their time and comments generously. They are singly and collectively so insightful, graceful, and funny.

I’m looking forward to this last month with them, and then April when I begin to work with other women who may benefit from a little “Creative Discovery & Reinvention.”

The first nine FFFs, though, will forever be among my favorite friends. And I can’t wait to see what they do next.

It’s been a while since I’ve dropped down into new surroundings with a need and desire to make new connections.

Sent off to Girl Scout Camp as a child or to College as a young adult required establishing immediate bonds to navigate camp chores or to find the library and dining halls. Also, shared space in tents, cabins, and dorm rooms creates intimacy no matter whom one might choose without assignment. Might as well get along or get out.

Having relocated more than an hour from the Upper Valley area of New Hampshire — my most recent home for the last 15 years — it’s impractical to believe I’ll see any of my old gang as regularly as I might hope. Everything about my day to day and week to week schedule has changed, and I’m changing too.

My husband and I are having our second social event as a couple (a family picnic last June was a very different animal). It’s not a big party and we’ll number no more than ten if all accept our invitation. But it’s a “coming” out of sorts. With two divorces between us, both Roger and I are guilty of having lurked in the shadows for a couple of years. When you feel you’ve failed at something, it’s hard to rally and be out and about making happy with the masses.

Now we have our new shared happiness, and want to join in again. So we’re stepping beyond the comfort zone and inviting others in to share a meal and some laughs. We don’t have any hidden agenda, just a desire to be reconnected with the world and feel safe and accepted beyond our togetherness.

Wish us luck!