This year may have started on a positive note for a lot of people. And then everything went haywire. Some people now have a new normal. Many are still struggling to find their footing.
One month ago, I got an idea to set up something for women as we go through the pandemic. It was clear to me that there would be a need for daily support because a lot was going to shift on an almost daily basis.
There was nothing to base my idea on, just a feeling. But my intuition has never led me astray. So I took action.
I didn’t share the idea with anyone…I just set up a page on my blog and started inviting people to sign up for the daily lunchtime meetings.
And just like that, the Brown Bag lunchtime meetings got started. My aim was to bring together women for inspiration, motivation, learning, sharing and connection during this season.
17 Brown Bags Later…
The forum celebrated its one-month birthday last week with forum #17. As I reflect back, I feel really grateful for all the people who have participated in it. The forum may have been my idea, but it’s the participants who have given it the oomph it required.?
It took a while to get used to hosting the meetings, more so because I was using video after avoiding it for so many years. Today, I don’t hesitate at all and even prefer video to audio-only meetings. That in itself is a great achievement!?
There was also a time when I wanted to reduce the meetings to once per week. However, the attendees said “No way!” and held me accountable to my promise to continue with at least 4 meetings a week till 30th April. You know you’re doing something right when people don’t want a forum to end. And you know that you’re in the right place when people call you out…though the ego does take a beating.
I have a notebook that’s almost full of notes taken during these meetings. We’ve discussed so many things in the forum (personal, parenting, relationships, self-care, health, etc) and even worked on our businesses (including getting new business ideas and redefining our businesses). We go with the flow and each meeting ends up having amazing results.
The meetings have been of immense value to me as a person and to my business. This pandemic has been a challenge in many ways. I started Brown Bag thinking that I was going to help attendees find peace and calm. The forum has ended up being a lifeline for all of us.
As we celebrate this one-month milestone, I know for sure that the Brown Bag meetings held in this season are gifts that will keep on giving way after COVID-19 is gone. And that even greater things will come from the meetings and connections.
Over to you…
Getting back to you, I’d like to welcome you to attend at least one Brown Bag meeting. We still have 4 meetings left in April and then I’ll decide whether on the next step. One thing I do know for sure is that if I do continue with the forum in May, we’ll only have one meeting per week instead of four per week.
I’d also love to hear from you as always. How are things going for you in this season? What forums are you attending and how are they helping you stay focused, calm and motivated? Share your experience in the Comments below.
In the meantime, keep well and stay safe.
Caroline
(Image credit: Unsplash)
