When I put love at the head of the table, love doesn't even notice how messy or full the table is because it doesn't matter anyhow. When I put love at the head of the table, my ego leaves the table and takes out the trash. When I out love at the head of the table, everything I make an do fills my whole being. When I put love at the head of the table, I pull up a chair, as close as I can get and I become brave again. When I put love at the head of the table, I honor what I forgot and truth trickles in. When I put love at the end of the table, I leave the performance of my life and all the roles I "play" behind me. When I put love at the head of the table, I have peace and serve it to others. When I put love at the head of the table, grace comes and sits next to love. When I put love at the end of the table, I am carried effortlessly through my day and night and life and it trickles into everything I am. When I put love at the head of the table, I am nourished and fed. When I put love at the head of the table, schedules and plans melt away, and I have everything I need.
Amber this was delicious to read. It's the last thing I'm reading before I go to bed at night and I love that I'll be going to sleep carrying your beautiful, inspiring words about all the different places this prompt took you.
Loved this prompt, Laura, and your response to it! I wrote a lengthier piece, but here are the first two paragraphs:
When I put love at the head of the table, everything becomes clear. I zero in on the person in front of me, the one who is calling me to attention. Time stands still. My senses become more acute. I am awash in the minutiae of the moment – a small blue bird flying by, struggling against the wind, the sound of a dog barking in the distance, the train conductor leaning on his horn as his engine barrels through the industrial section of my neighborhood.
When I put love at the head of the table, the phone in my hand no longer separates me from the friend on the other end. It’s as if we are sitting on this comfortable off-white couch in my living room together, she with her feet curled under her and I with mine propped on the coffee table. I drink in the familiarity of her voice, of our shared memories and I find myself celebrating our efforts to understand both our own and each other’s lives. My plans for the day have fallen away; there is nowhere else to be. Just here.
Thank you Karina. In the whirlwind of life and the terrifying chaos of the world as it is, it's hard to land with love sometimes. But it's only from that place that I can take effective, intentional action.
Thank you, Laura, for this radiant piece, and for the reminder to return to what matters most.
When I Put Love at the Table
My compass steadies, pointing to the heart of what matters most. The rush softens, lists drift away. What seemed urgent, isn’t. I breathe. I stay. I cherish the beloveds in my orbit.
And in that stillness, I remember: to show up fully, with heart and presence, and that, in itself, is LOVE.
You're welcome, Susan. I'm so glad you have people like that in my life. It reminds me too, to be present when I am with them. This week, I had an overwhelming week on many fronts. I was spinning. At the same time, my son, daughter in law and grandkids were visiting from Mexico. I felt behind in EVERYTHING, and then my 11 year old granddaughter said to me: "You're my favorite grandma to go to the movies with." And before you know it, I'd given up my idea of "catching up" and was going to a matinee with my granddaughter and her brother. I'm grateful I was able to give up my idea of what the day should be and just be with them, having a special outing together.
Beautiful Laura, thank you.
thanks, April!
When I put love at the head of the table, love doesn't even notice how messy or full the table is because it doesn't matter anyhow. When I put love at the head of the table, my ego leaves the table and takes out the trash. When I out love at the head of the table, everything I make an do fills my whole being. When I put love at the head of the table, I pull up a chair, as close as I can get and I become brave again. When I put love at the head of the table, I honor what I forgot and truth trickles in. When I put love at the end of the table, I leave the performance of my life and all the roles I "play" behind me. When I put love at the head of the table, I have peace and serve it to others. When I put love at the head of the table, grace comes and sits next to love. When I put love at the end of the table, I am carried effortlessly through my day and night and life and it trickles into everything I am. When I put love at the head of the table, I am nourished and fed. When I put love at the head of the table, schedules and plans melt away, and I have everything I need.
Amber this was delicious to read. It's the last thing I'm reading before I go to bed at night and I love that I'll be going to sleep carrying your beautiful, inspiring words about all the different places this prompt took you.
Loved this prompt, Laura, and your response to it! I wrote a lengthier piece, but here are the first two paragraphs:
When I put love at the head of the table, everything becomes clear. I zero in on the person in front of me, the one who is calling me to attention. Time stands still. My senses become more acute. I am awash in the minutiae of the moment – a small blue bird flying by, struggling against the wind, the sound of a dog barking in the distance, the train conductor leaning on his horn as his engine barrels through the industrial section of my neighborhood.
When I put love at the head of the table, the phone in my hand no longer separates me from the friend on the other end. It’s as if we are sitting on this comfortable off-white couch in my living room together, she with her feet curled under her and I with mine propped on the coffee table. I drink in the familiarity of her voice, of our shared memories and I find myself celebrating our efforts to understand both our own and each other’s lives. My plans for the day have fallen away; there is nowhere else to be. Just here.
I love your response, Shoshana. You’re right when we put love first clarity reigns.
Beautiful Laura, thank you for this heartfelt writing. It serves as a great reminder of what is truly important. Sending love and blessings.
Thank you Karina. In the whirlwind of life and the terrifying chaos of the world as it is, it's hard to land with love sometimes. But it's only from that place that I can take effective, intentional action.
Thank you, Laura, for this radiant piece, and for the reminder to return to what matters most.
When I Put Love at the Table
My compass steadies, pointing to the heart of what matters most. The rush softens, lists drift away. What seemed urgent, isn’t. I breathe. I stay. I cherish the beloveds in my orbit.
And in that stillness, I remember: to show up fully, with heart and presence, and that, in itself, is LOVE.
What a beautiful response, Mahi. I especially love, "I cherish the beloveds in my orbit."
Your words inspire me to think of the people I hold in my heart who deserve my full attention in every moment we share. Thank you.
You're welcome, Susan. I'm so glad you have people like that in my life. It reminds me too, to be present when I am with them. This week, I had an overwhelming week on many fronts. I was spinning. At the same time, my son, daughter in law and grandkids were visiting from Mexico. I felt behind in EVERYTHING, and then my 11 year old granddaughter said to me: "You're my favorite grandma to go to the movies with." And before you know it, I'd given up my idea of "catching up" and was going to a matinee with my granddaughter and her brother. I'm grateful I was able to give up my idea of what the day should be and just be with them, having a special outing together.