Second Wednesday of each month, 3-5pm
LifePath Center, Rinconada de La Aldea 29
$50 pesos
All women are welcome!
No reservation needed

The Brain Exchange - mixed
Women’s Drop-in Brainstorming and Networking Group

Women’s Brainstorming and Networking Group
By Susan Page

While ancient Greeks brought their pressing questions to the Oracle at Delphi, San Miguel women take their queries -- with just as much faith and hope -- to the Brain Exchange. At this monthly drop-in group, we seek practical solutions and new ideas for a wide variety of problems and questions.

Thirty-something Betsy can't decide if it's time for her to have a baby -- or if motherhood would interfere with her writing career. At a recent Brain Exchange, Betsy received suggestions -- lots and lots of them.

The group meets on the second Wednesday of every month (except February, April, and May, when we do not meet) and asks for a $100 peso donation.

Topics have ranged from "How do I market my business?" to "How do I find forgiveness in myself?" to “How can I convince my husband to move here.” When the questioner is satisfied that the group understands what she's asking, a timer is set for five minutes.

The timer's first tick has the effect of a starter pistol. The room explodes with rapid-fire tips and referrals. The idea is to give a brief recommendation or referral -- and then stop talking. It's not OK to tell stories or to discuss or rebut what's said, and those who do this receive gentle but firm reminders: give only the recommendation, not the story behind it. The result is dozens of succinct answers to each question, ranging from the practical to the far-out.

For example: Betsy, the prospective mom, was advised to "realize there is never a perfect time to have a child," to "read the book Operating Instructions by successful writer-mother Anne Lamott," to "spend time around new babies before you decide to have one," and to realize that "being a mom will make you tired whether you're 18 or 64." After a series of cautions, a cheerful middle-aged woman received lots of positive nods when she said, "With all the accomplishments and travel in my life, I consider my kids my greatest production. Go for it!"
A look of amazement crossed Betsy’s face as she whispered a nearly breathless, "Gee, thanks" when her turn ended.

Each comment is recorded on a computer by the recording secretaty, Susan Robards. A few days later, everyone receives the whole list of brainstormed suggestions by e-mail. Of course, many of the suggestions are useful to everyone in the group, and the brainstorming suggestions can continue by e-mail, even from women who were not at this meeting.

The San Miguel Brain Exchange was started eleven years ago by Susan Page, who was a member of a similar group in the San Francisco Bay area. That group, now in its 26th year, has an informative website: www.thebrainexchange.com.

www.thebrainexchange.com