This week is the TEDxMileHighWomen, “It’s About Time” conference and I can’t wait. Although my excitement stems partly from offering A Table In Time’s “Conversation Café’” at the conference, I’m super psyched to feel inspired and learn from the many dynamic speakers on stage, bringing us their “ju-ju” and smarts! Admittedly I have nervous energy, … Read more
At a recent A Table In Time gathering we had one hundred guests. Despite a common spiritual thread and consistent opportunities to see one another, dinner guests came to the table not really knowing much about each other. In our daily lives we focus on “to do’s”, life’s many logistics, leaving little time to go … Read more
Undoubtedly we will disagree with people. For whatever reason, we don’t see “eye- to-eye”. Around the table, we struggle to thoughtfully engage with our perceived adversaries. During an election year differences feel especially heightened, limiting the depth of our interactions. In our minds, consciously or subconsciously, we’ve already decided that meaningful conversations aren’t possible. Why … Read more
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
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
It hasn’t always been this way…that we could “Google map” the nearest coffee shop and quickly identify where to find our morning liquid gold. Only recently has coffee become readily available. In an interview with Phil Goodlaxson, owner of Corvus Coffee, he reminded me that coffee houses historically have been a place for political discussions, … 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
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