Purposeful Living

**Finding Meaning in Life's Difficulties** *** Is there hidden value in the difficulties and hardships of life, or are these things just to try to get past as quickly as possible? If so, how can we emerge from the current world crisis we are facing as stronger, more resilient individuals and communities? When we look at the difficult moments of our lives, aren’t those often the times when we grew the most? So many valuable lessons in life and growth opportunities are hard-won, often coming out of these trying moments. So why are we so focused on avoiding these difficulties? From this perspective, how would we as individuals and as a society confront the inevitable struggles we will be faced with? How can we build stronger communities that ensure not only that we don’t have to face struggles alone, but that we as individuals will emerge stronger as well? Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on the opportunity for growth during times of struggle. Join us for a lively discussion as we reflect on the meaning of the struggles of life and explore the true nature of progress. *“The troubles of this world pass and what we have left is what we have made of our souls.*” – Bahá’í Teachings \*\*\* This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.

⚡ **Reset your mindset. Meet someone unexpected. Walk away with new clarity.** Join us for a free, small-group gathering held in our **Startup Garage** — a **spacious, comfortable living-room style space** inside a single-family home. Think couches, coffee, and real conversation — **not an actual garage 😊** 🔁 You’ll be **paired** with different attendees throughout the event for short, energizing rounds — each sparked by a simple **opening line** designed to make you laugh, reflect, and think bigger about what comes next. You won’t just talk about what’s behind you — You’ll begin to **picture what’s ahead** in a way that actually excites you. *** **☕ Coffee and snacks are on me.** Just show up with a curious mind — and a willingness to laugh. We’ll guide you through questions that blend **wisdom and humor** — the kind that help you see your story through a new lens. *** **🔍 What You’ll Experience** • One-on-one rounds to explore purpose, identity, and new possibilities • Light, energizing activities designed to shift your mindset in under 10 minutes • Fresh insights from people you’ve never met — but may never forget • A laid-back, thoughtful space to connect without pressure *** **💼 Who It’s For** • Divorced/Separated or midlife professionals figuring out what’s next • Entrepreneurs, builders, and creatives in a season of reinvention • Men and women who prefer **meaningful conversation** over surface level talk Whether you’re starting over, scaling up, or just ready for something more aligned — this space is for you. *** 📊 *Most attendees are in their 30s, 40s, or 50s — navigating life and growth with curiosity, clarity, and a sense of humor.* 🛋️ **Hosted in a spacious living-room setting** inside a single-family home (Ashburn). Full address shared after RSVP. 🌐 Explore more: [https://midlifereinvention.co](https://midlifereinvention.co)

**The Bike Lane** in Reston is turning 25—and throwing a summer block party bash to celebrate! Join us at The Bike Lane for a day packed with group rides, live music, cold beer, and delicious food trucks. They’ve got some big party planning happening behind the scenes, and trust me—you won’t want to miss this one. More details to be added as they are announced! Stay up to date on all the details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1272557651680190 **Band Lineup** (exact times coming soon): * **The Stray Dogs** * **Longest Day of the Year** * **Hijynx** Bring a folding chair kick back and enjoy the music. **Food Trucks**: Killer Tomato Pizza, Nordic Knots, + a Surprise Guest! **Breweries**: Eight favorite beer friends will be there (marking 8 years of Bike Lane Brewing): Lake Anne Brewhouse, Jasper Yeast, Lost Rhino Brewing Company, Bitterfruit Brewing, Solace Outpost, Mieza Blendary, Sinistral Brewing Company! Mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate 25 years of bikes, community, and good times with The Bike Lane!

Join us for conversations that go beyond small talk, diving into topics like the shifting nature of spirituality, the challenges and joys of midlife transitions, the impact of culture and capitalism, and the search for meaning in art, travel, and daily life. Our gatherings are about genuine, thought-provoking dialogue, with no set leader or strict agenda—just an open space to share ideas, perspectives, and experiences that matter to us. The direction of the discussion is shaped by everyone who shows up, making each event unique and enriching. Come ready to share, reflect, and connect with others who are also seeking deeper conversations. Let the conversation flow from topic to topic. Optional questions are listed below.

Optional Questions: Life Stages & Transitions

1. What did you think you'd have figured out by now that you're still completely winging?
2. When did you realize your parents' advice was for a world that no longer exists?
3. What are you finally old enough to stop pretending to care about?

Optional Questions: Identity After the Roles

4. Who are you when nobody needs anything from you?
5. What dream keeps resurfacing even though the "practical" time has passed?
6. How do you handle having the freedom you always said you wanted?

Optional Questions: AI & Being Human

7. What human experiences will AI never truly understand?
8. If machines handled all your have-to's, what would you actually do?
9. What becomes more precious as everything becomes automated?

Optional Questions: Belief & Meaning

10. What certainties have you given up, and what rushed in to fill that space?
11. How has knowing someone who died changed how you live?
12. What do you believe now that would shock your younger self?

Optional Questions: The Modern Psyche

13. What anxiety do you carry that previous generations didn't have?
14. Which of your survival strategies are you ready to retire?
15. What uncomfortable truth about happiness did it take you years to accept?

Optional Questions: Work & Purpose

16. When did you stop believing that your job would complete you?
17. What would you do for work if money and status weren't factors?
18. How has your definition of "making it" changed over the years?

Optional Questions: Relationships & Connection

19. What relationship dynamic do you keep recreating, and why?
20. When did you realize your parents were just people trying their best?
21. What kind of loneliness doesn't go away even when you're with others?

Optional Questions: Time & Mortality

22. What are you running out of time to say or do?
23. How differently do you spend your time knowing it's finite?
24. What will you regret not trying, even if you fail?

Optional Questions: Society & Culture

25. What social convention do you follow even though it makes no sense?
26. Which generation do you understand least, and what might you be missing?
27. What aspect of how we live now will seem insane in 20 years?

Optional Questions: Personal Philosophy

28. What rule for life did you create after learning something the hard way?
29. When did you stop believing that everyone else had it figured out
30. What paradox about life have you learned to live with?

Come out, get your cardio on and Dance!! The Phantom Phunk Collective will perform live music: Dance Funk and Classic Hip Hop at Rai's Rendevous 44042 Pipeline Plaza, Ashburn, VA 20147 on June 18 2026. The music starts at 9pm. It's a Thursday night so come early.

Sunday service at Unity of Fairfax will leave you feeling inspired, blessed and empowered to experience the fullness of life. **On a Spiritual Journey** Our community is made up of people, like yourself, who have been led to Unity by Spirit. We are all here because we’re on a spiritual journey to become all that we were created to be. **Welcome to Everyone** Unity welcomes people of all religious backgrounds and beliefs. We welcome people of all creeds, sexual orientation and social background. There are no exceptions in our welcome to everyone. **We Offer Tools** In Unity we don't tell people what to think; rather, we offer tools that individuals can use to create lives of meaning and purpose. **What We Believe** To review what we believe, go here: https://unityoffairfax.org/what-we-believe-what-unity

Before I head to Atlanta to host , I wanted to create space for us to gather right here in Maryland. I will be sharing how I moved to Panama, sight unseen in 5 months. Join us.. If you’ve been quietly thinking: “Maybe it’s time for a different life…” “Could I really move abroad?” “Where would I even start?” “What about money, healthcare, safety, housing, visas, or income?” This gathering is for you. Join us for an intimate social meetup for Black women who are curious about living abroad, actively planning their exit, or simply exploring what life could look like beyond the U.S. This is not a formal seminar. This is a room full of women having real conversations about what it means to build a softer, safer, more aligned next chapter. Come meet other Black women who are asking the same questions you are. Come hear stories. Come ask questions. Come connect with women who are already making moves. We’ll talk about: • How women are actually relocating abroad • Countries Black women are considering most • Cost of living, healthcare, visas, and lifestyle • Income and retirement concerns • Starting over after 40 or 50 • Fear, uncertainty, and what’s really keeping women stuck • The first steps to creating your own relocation plan Whether you are thinking about moving in the next 24 months or you’re just beginning to explore the possibility, you belong in this room. And yes… refreshments will be served. Bring your questions. Bring your curiosity. Bring the version of yourself that knows she wants more from life.