MKE – Reunions and More

This month, I celebrated my 40th Nursing Reunion, 40 years working as a Registered Nurse, and 3 years as a Master Key Experience Member.  Are they all connected?

Well, obviously the nursing work and reunion are, but what about the Master Key Experience?  There are some parallels.  For instance, membership in a group of like-minded, mission-focused, talented, yet diverse individuals.  And yes, you could say – a Master Mind Alliance.

nurse life

Forty-three years ago this month I entered Nurse’s Training.  I moved into Nurse’s Residence (attached to the hospital); and traded my farm family for a family of young women (no boys in my class) who lived together, went to school together, worked together, and partied together (plenty of partying).  We had Nursing Instructors, House Moms, and Head Nurses – all capable of inducing paralyzing fear, or instilling confidence and love.  It was an amazing experience, we grew up together, and got ready to face the world.  Some of our group literally did that, and many have traveled extensively while working as nurses and nurse practitioners.

I was pleased and inspired to talk with my classmates and hear about their experiences.  Forty-three years ago we came from diverse backgrounds, funneled into the same educational experience.  Now, forty years after graduation, we have pursued many diverse paths.  Some have stayed working in the hospital, but in many different disciplines.  Some have gone on to higher education, with various degrees and certifications – including a psychologist, a doctorate, and a nurse practitioner.  Some have

worked in public health, private health, or took breaks to raise their families.  But each of us has made a contribution to health care, and to humanity.  I am so proud of our class.

And we had a blast at the reunion.  Held at a remote retreat/event venue (pictured above), we talked, ate, hiked, drank, danced, sang, and talked some more.  We celebrated those who weren’t able to attend, and those who are no longer with us.

Live life when you have it. Life is a splendid gift-there is nothing small about it.  Florence Nightingale

MKE life

But what about the Master Key Experience (MKE)?  Well, there’s another group of like-minded, mission-focused, talented, yet diverse individuals.  Another Master Mind Alliance.  But instead of nursing, the MKE is all about personal development, helping the members to reveal their gifts and talents, their dharma; in order to go forward in life.  In order to share those gifts with the world, to make the world a better place.  Oh, that’s like nursing too!

Three years ago, I entered the Master Key Experience.  Maybe not quite as ‘deer-in-the-headlights’ as I was at 18 years old as a student nurse, but certainly I did not understand how powerful the experience would be.  I dug deep, did the work, applied the knowledge, and have a new appreciation for my attributes, and that of my fellow members.

Like my Nursing Class, the MKE members that I know have gone on to do great things – success in business, best-selling authors, business coaches, founders of non-profit organizations, and more.  Overall – happier, healthier, and greater.  More confident and more in tune with their best selves.

My classmates (both nursing and MKE) have all taken the ‘Hero’s Journey‘ and we are sharing our gifts in many ways.  If you would like to learn more, go to https://tinyurl.com/arlenemke – but hurry – the next class starts soon, and there are a limited number of ‘pay-it-forward’ scholarships!

So never lose an opportunity of urging a practical beginning, however small, for it is wonderful how often in such matters the mustard-seed germinates and roots itself.  Florence Nightingale.