Some of the best moments in my life have happened around a table.
From the time I was little, I remember having dinner with my parents. Then, when I had my own family, sitting down for dinner with our kids became some of our most meaningful time together. It was our chance to communicate, check in, look into their eyes and really see how they were doing. I think that is something we need now more than ever.
Today, that table is filled with family, kids and grandkids, lots of food, laughter and usually everyone talking at the same time! Other times, I’ve sat down with friends, business owners or people I had just met—and by the time we got up from the table, something had changed. We were connected.
Even at our family business, lunchtime has always been a little like that. Everyone is usually going in a hundred different directions, but for those few minutes around the table, we stop, catch up, laugh, talk about what’s happening and reconnect.
There’s something special about sharing food and drinks with others. It gives us permission to slow down, put our phones aside, look at one another and have a real conversation.
Think about your favorite food memories. Chances are, they aren’t just about what you ate. You remember who was there.
Maybe it was your grandmother’s recipe that nobody can make quite the same way. Maybe it was pizza with your kids on a busy school night, a glass of wine with a girlfriend who needed to talk or a dinner where you met someone who became an important part of your life.
I see the same thing happen at our business mixers. We share a meal, but what we’re really sharing are stories, ideas, introductions, encouragement and opportunities. Someone can walk in knowing no one and leave with a new friend, a referral or even a new direction.
That’s the magic of gathering around a table.
So, as life gets busy, make time for the table. Invite the neighbor. Call the friend you haven’t seen. Sit down with your family without rushing. Ask someone new to join you for coffee.
You never know what can happen when you pull up one more chair.
Because when it comes to family, friendship, business and community, I believe there’s always room at the table.
With gratitude to my family, that always had an extra chair at our table, and to carry on the tradition.
Kim Pagano
Radio Host | Business Cheerleader | Connector
Tune into the brighter side of life and business with Kim Pagano Saturday mornings 7-8 to start your day in a positive way. Download Kim’s podcast, The Kim Pagano Show. Sign up for Kim’s newsletter https://link.kpshow.org/widget/form/0kQyz3s5K0GUTcSK46qp and next business mixer.