Technology can drastically inhibit our interactions even in unexpected places, like our neighborhood coffee shop. Yet connecting over coffee offers us the renewed chance to give our interactions more space. Plus coffee tastes so delicious! Hani Yaafori, owner of Steam Espresso Bar provides his take on the benefits and pleasure of gathering for coffee and … Read more
At the time, my friend kept telling me, “Go out for a glass of wine, even coffee, so that you can have some space for conversation.” Although I didn’t listen, looking back all these years later, she was right: I should have talked about the “tough stuff” with my manager and co-worker. When conversations don’t … Read more
Although June’s blog focuses on “getting out of our comfort zone”, my thoughts continue to dwell on how we create Pause, enough to regularly gather around the table. It’s not easy to slow down and un-automate! Perhaps the bigger question to ask is “Where is our quiet space at work, home, in life?” Laugh out … Read more
The minister doesn’t need to know that sometimes I create invite lists on the church program while listening to the sermon. When I’m sitting in a quiet place, a plethora of names pops into my mind. I “day dream” about engaged conversation around the table with a few or many friends. Although I’m constantly organizing … Read more
“Without my morning coffee I’m just like a dried up piece of roast goat.” – Johann Sebastian Bach[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][1] The Look of Conversation: Pausing over Coffee My favorite mug reads: “I’m in my happy … Read more
When my children were younger one of my pet peeves was how they sat at the table. I mean, specifically, how they sat in their chairs. They were expected to “sit correctly” meaning that their bottoms were centered on the seat: no slouching. “Put your napkin on your lap”, “sit up straight”, “put your knife … Read more
Often I have wondered how my work as a teacher overlaps with my conversational consulting at A Table In Time. As it turns out experiencing lunchtime with three and four year olds provides insights for how we as “grown-ups” might enable conversation over a meal. Let me explain. Once hands are washed, lunch boxes unzipped, … Read more
Ready, set, action! Jay and I were at the altar. We were exchanging our marriage vows. In the middle of the exchange, Jay paused. Or did he? My eyes widened. Panic set in. Had Jay forgotten what to say? Although they’re an important part of interacting with others, pauses in conversation sometimes cause discomfort. This … Read more
My anxiety increases in the morning when I’m late starting my “to do’s”. The business list feels massive. Non-work demands fight for attention as well: book my daughter’s flight home, send the invitation copy for my niece’s wedding lunch, RSVP to the school event whose information is buried somewhere amidst the digital correspondence. No wonder … Read more
It had been awhile- almost 15 years actually, since I had seen my good friend from high school. I wondered what to talk about after so much time. How might it be possible to understand even a glimmer of her life’s journey? I took out my little purple sticky notes, quietly considered my friend and … Read more