"That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you have understood all your life, but in a new way." – Doris Lessing

September 18, 2024

Dear friends:

We're less than a week away from our most important fundraising event of the year - "Light Up the Night!" on Tuesday, September 24 at the Chicago History Museum. Important because it is through the generosity and support of our members and the community that we are able to offer a unique combination of social engagement, support through life and health transitions, and intellectual stimulation. 

This newsletter focuses on lifelong learning and what a significant role it plays - especially as we age. The pursuit of knowledge throughout life can yield many benefits - expertise, skills, cultural enrichment, career growth, and more.

But the greatest gift of lifelong learning is its contribution to self-discovery - it is the pathway to a powerful sense of identity. It's one of the great gifts of growing older. As author Tracey Gendron writes, "Aging is a slow and steady process of change that ultimately leads to becoming our unique, individual selves."

Learning isn't about what you do, it's about who you become.

Join us next Tuesday, help us Light Up the Night and be a part of this community in which we are all "becoming," together.

Warm regards,

Niki Fox, Executive Director

We were surprised to find the Harvard Business Review writing about "Why You Need to Protect Your Sense of Wonder — Especially Now." They say, ".... more than ever we need ways to refresh our energies, calm our anxieties, and nurse our well-being. One potentially powerful intervention, rarely talked about, is the cultivation of experiences of awe. Like gratitude and curiosity, awe can leave us feeling inspired and energized. It’s another tool in your toolkit and it’s now attracting increased attention due to more rigorous research."

The Research

“Awe is on the cutting edge” of emotion research, said Judith T. Moskowitz, a professor of medical social sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

The emergent science of awe has discovered that awe is a distinct emotion - different from fear, beauty, interest, and joy.

Research covering more than 25 cultures has found that people experience awe similarly - through encounters with other people’s courage and kindness; through nature; at collective gatherings (dance, rituals, and ceremonies); from music and visual art; through religious and spiritual practice; experiencing epiphanies; and at birth and death. (Source)

Awe is a self-transcendent emotion - it focuses our attention away from ourselves and toward our environment. And awe is an epistemic emotion because it plays a critical role in learning. It makes us aware of gaps in our knowledge, and triggers curiosity.

Dacher Keltner, a psychologist at the University of California, Berkeley writes, "(Awe) also has psychological benefits. Many of us have a critical voice in our head, telling us we’re not smart, beautiful, or rich enough." Awe seems to quiet this negative self-talk, Dr. Keltner said, by deactivating the part of the cortex involved in how we perceive ourselves.

"While many of us associate awe with dramatic, life-changing events, the truth is that awe can be part of everyday life."

Awe is something you can develop with practice. Dr. Keltner recommends:

1. Pay attention. Awe is all around us. His research shows that people experience awe two or three times a week. “It was like, ‘Oh, I can just take a breath and look around.’ "

2.Focus on the simple act of witnessing the goodness in others - "moral beauty."

3. Practice mindfulness.

4. Choose the unfamiliar path - awe often comes from novelty.

Curiosity is something we are all born with. It is most active when we are children. Research shows that preschool children ask an average of 100 questions a day. But by middle school, kids have largely stopped asking questions. Something happens to our sense of curiosity as we mature.

That something, reports Psychology Today is that we start being more concerned about what others think of us. "Social consciousness and comparisons kick in, and we begin to have more me-centered thoughts...which often lead us to suppress curiosity by the time we reach adulthood." We lose touch with what the Buddhists call "beginner’s mind," one of profound openness and innocence.

Fortunately, this isn’t permanent, and our innate capacity for curiosity is always there, frequently triggered by moments of astonishment, awe, and wonder.

How Curious Are You?

Take this quiz!

Click here for a Forbes article, "Curiosity: Why It Matters, How We Lose It, and How to Get it Back.

Knowing that learning is connected to awe and curiosity makes it possible to view it through a different lens. It somehow seems more exciting. Just as awe is all around us, so are opportunities to learn. We are fortunate to live in this great city with access to institutions like the Fourth Presbyterian Church Center for Life and Learning; the University of Chicago's Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies,* the Old Town School of Folk Music, and so many more. Classes are a reliable way to learn, offering expertise and structure. However, broadening our concept of experiences from which we can learn opens up a new world of opportunities.

*Win a gift certificate to the Graham School at our fundraiser! (See Village News below).

Learning from what we already do

These members of the Village community have interests that they pursue because they enjoy doing them, and in the process have learned not only techniques and skills, but some important things about themselves.

Ray Enriquez, Painter: "I love to paint because it gives me a way to express myself and capture images. I learn just through the process of deciding what to do - which medium, how it works, what subject. And when I do portraits of people I know, I get a new, different sense of who they are. What I have learned about myself is that if I don't set up a routine, it won't happen. I didn't know I could be so disciplined."

Jill Stein, Fitness and Wellness Speaker, Trainer, and Sound Healer: "I have known all my life that I am driven to move. I was athletic starting in childhood. I didn't plan to become a trainer but the opportunity fell into my lap and I am so glad it did. Bodies are complex machines and doing this work has given me endless things to learn about how the body works, specific kinds of exercises and techniques - and in addition, opportunities to become certified in related fields like meditation, yoga, and sound healing.

"What I didn't realize until I became an adult was that this very physical drive to move helps me mentally. It is a great stress reliever and even if it's just walking the dog it's the very best thing I can do for myself."

David Baker, Birder: "One of the things I love about bird watching is that you actually experience the cycle of life every year. You feel connected to the earth. It's amazing to think of these tiny little animals who spent the winter eating bugs in South America, showing up here every year, exactly when the feeding conditions are right, on their way to Canada.

Birding requires enormous patience. You're out there with both your aural and visual sense alert, trying to locate the bird. It's difficult and complicated especially if you're alone. What I have learned about myself is what the limits of my patience are. I've learned to calm myself down, let the evidence come to me, and be at peace with just letting things happen." 

Donna Vos, Writer: "The most important thing I have learned through writing is perseverance. It's a long way to the end of a book. It takes months and it's never a straight path. Perseverance is crucial to so many endeavors and it's now part of my toolbox. I also learned that while being social is important, and I like it, I'm OK being alone. Writing is a solitary business and I have learned to be comfortable being alone."

Marcia Whitney-Schenk, Artist: "Since I was a young reporter I had one dream and that was to publish a novel. Over the decades, I honed my fiction writing skills, worked with an editor, and I finally produced what I thought was a worthwhile manuscript.



"What happened? I wrote to 100 agents. No one was interested. I couldn’t get it published. During this time, I was taking watercolor lessons, and art making was more enjoyable than toiling over a manuscript.

Light and the Gothic Cathedral,

watercolor by Marcia Whitney- Schenck

At the age of 73, I have evolved my thinking about creativity which still is the central focus of my life. Previously, I had hoped for commercial success both for my writing and artwork. They were external goals, and I had no control over the outcome. I’ve set goals that encourage me to push the boundaries—ones that I can fulfill and bring me fulfillment. And with that, I’ve dared to dream again - a novel on two artists in which I do the artwork. In my remaining years, I wish to focus on the integrity of self-expression and the dignity in that, and find that in others. These goals are achievable."

The Blue Hen of Delaware, mixed media by Marcia Whitney- Schenck

The Village presents over 500 programs per year. Click here to take a look at our Weekly Event Calendar and you're sure to find something that would inspire awe or curiosity in you.

We're Going to Light Up the Night - Get Your Tickets Now!

Be a part of the scene at our fundraiser, Light Up the Night! on September 24 at the Chicago History Museum.

• Lively reception with delectable appetizers, drinks, engaging games, prizes, and a great raffle
• Exciting auction with amazing getaways to Iceland, Ireland, Italy, St. Maarten, and Spain, plus a Chicago experiences package featuring a Boka Progressive Dinner, tickets to the Steppenwolf, Goodman, Lyric Opera, and more!
• Unforgettable entertainment by the world-renowned Lyric Opera’s Ryan Opera Center performing pieces from favorite operas and musicals
• Meet up with old friends - and enjoy being together. You are cordially invited - just click here. 

Invite your friends!

Click here for the Annual Fundraiser evite Or, copy and paste this link to share via email and social media: https://conta.cc/46Riudb

The Village Online Auction Ends Soon!

Don't miss out - the auction ends at 8 pm on Friday, September 20!

Right now, one click will take you to a carefully curated array of amazing experiences as part of our annual fundraiser to support the Village's important work for our community.  

Here's just a sample of the auction items:

Escapes 

• A four-night Florida B&B experience at Boca West Country Club with golf, tennis, pickle ball, a luxurious pool, and more.  

Fitness and Bliss

• Trial memberships at Fitness Formula and Citywide Superslow
• A day of head to toe pampering at Salon Edda 
• A pickle ball party for up to 16 people including food and drinks

Dining and Experiences

• Experience the city's rich cultural offerings, from Winter's Jazz to the Goodman Theater
• Dining at some of Chicago's best restaurants including RPM Steak, RPM Seafood, Sushi-San 
• Lifelong learning at the University of Chicago Graham School

.... and much more!

How to Bid

This link will take you directly to the auction where you can start bidding on a special treat for yourself or a loved one - or both. The auction will end on Friday, September 20 at 8 PM. 

Spread the Word! 

You can maximize your own support by forwarding the auction link to friends and family so they can bid too. You might even pool your resources and share one of the great experiences. (Or drop a hint or two!) 

Just click here to get started - have fun and good luck!

Special thanks to the many donors who provided the items for this auction.

The Village Chicago in Classic Chicago Magazine!

The Village was a featured article in a recent issue of Classic Chicago Magazine. The article talks about the impact of the national Village movement and what makes the Village Chicago unique. Read it here.

Board of Directors

David Baker,

Chair

Judith Gethner, Secretary

Joan Goldstein,

Treasurer

Kathie Kolodgy,

Vice Chair

Karen Terry,

Vice Chair

Don Bell

Jacie Brandes

Stefanie Clark

Carol Hitchie

Angie Levenstein

Molly Matthias

Liz Metzger

Gail Moss

Tom Pasker

Carol Stein

Lois Stuckey

Vamse Kumar Subbiah

Carlos Terrazas

Jan Walters

Mel Washburn

Advisory Council

Neelum T. Aggarwal, MD

Robyn L. Golden, LCSW

Joanne G. Schwartzberg, MD

Executive Director

Niki Fox

The Village Chicago is a community network of friendship, engagement and services for people over 50. We support all aspects of well-being through social engagement, an extensive services and referral network, lifelong learning, health and fitness, intergenerational relationships, work, and purpose.

2502 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60614. 773.248.8700

www.thevillagechicago.org