I spent last week on a working ranch in Paicines, California, with men and women of all ages and ethnicities from all over the US learning how to transition from capitalism to a just economy. I was nervous about going. From the cohort-member photos, I would be one of the older members, and admittedly, I am having issues with aging. I also felt I wasn't smart enough to be a part of this cohort. Many of the cohort members were in financial services, and I have no real financial services experience. Besides that, I hate thinking about anything concerning cash flows, assets, and liabilities. Honestly, I thought I would be too cool for the experience. In my mind, they were nerds, and I was not. I thought about backing out of the 9-month program because of these things but changed my mind because I am trying this new thing called sticking to my commitments.
So, I pulled my tired body out of bed and hopped on the plane to California last Monday morning. I get to San Jose and meet three of my cohort members for the hour-long ride to Paicines Ranch. The car conversation started to ease my mind. I realized I wasn't the only person who had reservations - and at least the three cohort members in my car were pretty cool. We pull up to the ranch, and I see single-wide trailers, and I am immediately freaking out. These CAN NOT be the living quarters. They were. I am about to lose my whole mind because I CAN NOT sleep in a single-wide trailer for a week. On top of that, there was no cell service unless you had Verizon, and the wi-fi is shaky at best. I was about to cry, but what could I do?
I go to my room (see the photo below) and am scared to touch anything. I pull out my computer and immediately start texting my cousins.
Cousin 1: You said you wanted to live on a farm.
Cousin 2: What can you learn from this experience?
Not what I wanted to hear, but I accept it and say I will make the best of this week.
Fast forward: The week was amazing! I met great people. I learned a lot. I got to experience nature and God's creations in a way I have never before. There is so much for me to share and think about. Here are just a few things I want to share now:
1. Find your tribe. My cousins are an essential part of my tribe. They were the first people I texted to complain about my situation. Although they didn't tell me anything I wanted to hear at that moment, they helped me calm down and put the experience in perspective. Find people who will challenge you to show up as your best self.
2. Lean in and let go of your fears. When you let go of your fears, you can unlock beautiful experiences. Once I settled in, I could experience the beauty of nature and the other cohort members. I am excited to continue to learn, grow, and co-conspire to change the world with these beautiful people.
3. BEA you. On our final night on the ranch, a young Latina, one of my cohort members, came up to me and apologized. She said when she saw me, she thought, "She's going to be so uncomfortable here." She saw my asymmetrical hairstyle, tattoos, and bodysuit and thought I was a fish out of water. She went on to say that she was wrong and learned so much from me. She said every time I opened my mouth, I said something profound. I also taught her, by the way I showed up authentically as myself, that it is okay to be yourself. While some may think - the nerve - I was happy to hear this. I pride myself on showing up in my comfort zone and being 100 percent myself at all times. So, to see that she noticed that I was comfortable in my skin - and that my appearance didn't take away from my intelligence was a win for me. I want everyone to experience this level of freedom.
More to come on what we are working on. #staytuned because we are about to change the way the world does business and make BEAing you the new norm.
#JustEconomy #fuckcapitalism #spreadlove #spreadloveandkindness
P.S. Check out my dusty boots. They are evidence that I was there - and still stylish lol.
P.P.S. My daughter told me that I was a nerd. It was confirmed this week. I am the stylish nerd!
