Sometimes we wonder about insensitive behavior during a conversation. We ask ourselves “What Gives”, what cues are we misunderstanding? A more helpful question, instead, is to consider how to change a discussion’s tone and tenor to something more amiable. In a favorite morning meditation by ”happiness expert” Jonathan Lehmann[1], he offers affirmations to “make it … Read more
“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space there is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. – Viktor Frankl, Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, Holocaust survivor. As Viktor Frankl reminds us, there is space in the back and forth of a conversation. Often it’s difficult … Read more
“Everybody wants peace, peace of mind. Peace of mind, peace of mind, peace of mind, peace of mind.” (Loggins and Messina) How do we find it amidst travails, busyness and troubled public and private conversations? If Facebook is a signpost, we have not yet recovered from the venomous exchanges of the Presidential election. Rants continue … Read more
We’ve all been there…apprehensive about a difficult conversation, especially with someone who for whatever reason, “gets under our skin”. Will we communicate what’s true without creating offense? Can we keep our emotions and egos in check? What will be the outcome? At A Table In Time we help participants delve into deeper, more complicated “topics”, … Read more
At a recent cross-cultural, cross-faith event, hosts enthusiastically met each attendee at the door. Guests were coming together from different religious backgrounds and we wanted our greeting to put them at ease. For some it was the first time to be in a church. The sincere welcome created immediate comfort. How we invite someone “to … Read more
There’s nervousness in the air. People wonder if they’ll be liked. They feel nervous about being themselves. Even the most accomplished professionals and members of a team experience apprehension when gathering with co-workers and acquaintances. Like shiny toys we acquire, the list of our professional accomplishments tells a small part of a “success” story. Our … Read more
Hopefully disproportionately small in our lives, sorrow and tragedy are unfortunate parts of life. This means that, at some point, we’ll find ourselves in conversation with a friend, loved-one, co-worker or acquaintance facing a life challenge. Our natural instincts scream for us to fix whatever is broken. We want to find just the right phrase … Read more
Gifts can come from strange places. My husband recently suffered a second injury within ten months of tearing his Achilles tendon. Despite the pain, he doesn’t complain. He’s focused, instead, on recovering and living! His calm demeanor has helped me stop my own complaining and settle into a new temporary routine. Eliminating the incessant, fretful … 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