Every person can create and engage in thoughtful conversation around the table. When glancing around a friend’s back yard last weekend, filled with 24 guests for a “Summer Send Off “ party, I was amazed: each guest was fully participating in dialog with someone else. No one was quiet! Guests seemed to glide easily around … Read more
In the award-winning novel, A Little Life, by Hanya Yanagihara, two characters and dear friends, Willem and Jude, inspired me by their ability to conduct difficult conversations yet still maintain a strong love for one another. Jude, a victim of sexual assault, continually cuts himself as a way to pacify pain. Struggling to understand this … Read more
Whether for work or play, hosting a mealtime get-together is the same: an adventure, with guests to enjoy and get to know, at a restaurant or in our own backyard. Let’s go! Go local! Pick a date. Invite guests. Decide the menu. Set a table. Enjoy a cocktail. Here’s how to launch! The Guests: Think … Read more
Have you ever gone to a gathering, surrounded by chatty guests, yet felt inexplicably alone? Although the room is full of happy people, conversations lag and you find it difficult to know what to say next. What has happened? Sometimes we lose our sense of wonder and appreciation for the gifts right in front of … Read more
As much as I treasure a delicious meal to host a gathering at home offers benefits beyond the food, gifts often overlooked. If work requires gathering at a restaurant, the same applies: bringing people together provides promises beyond what’s served on the plate. Even serving a favorite, boxed macaroni is fine if we’re enthused about … Read more
This past weekend Slow Food Denver and A Table In Time offered its second “Dine-Around” opportunity focused on the theme, “Celebrate Local”. Guests, most meeting for the first time, gathered at nine different houses for lively conversation and a delicious meal. Gracious hosts prepared food sourced from their gardens, farmers markets and favorite vendors. Questions … Read more
When political topics come up around the table, there can be an elephant in the room. One guest voices a strong opinion, maybe too verbosely, and others respond, but not everyone. There’s quiet and then another comment and again some silence, signaling that not everyone at the table agrees. The environment has changed. Guests feel … Read more
Some friends are very comfortable sharing their political views on Social Media, rallying others together, and expressing an opinion. I’m more reticent which isn’t to say that I don’t have an opinion. Frankly I can loose my sense of humor sometimes, which shuts down the conversation. And, I just don’t know all the facts! Although … Read more
An invitation to the member event was sent through an email. It would be sent a second time in another week. Board members planned to pass out flyers. Would this communication be enough for strong attendance? Five weeks ahead of the event, our communication had been rather “safe”. Despite crossing our fingers, most of us … Read more
Not too long ago, after stepping down as board chair of a local technology cohort, I sent a letter to my successor about transition plans. Although a strong leader, the success of our group relied on creating a cohesive membership experience. “As much as it’s important to have a plan with “next steps” and a … Read more