In the book “Exceptional Every Day,” my good friend Jason Valadao writes about “Knowing Who Sits at Your Table” (Chapter 4). He describes the Table as “a physical structure, the place where you gather with friends and family to share a meal. It’s also a metaphor: the Table is your life’s nucleus.” Jason goes on to say that “Your Table is where life happens – the Table becomes the experience. When you’ve fully analyzed and applied your priorities, relationships are more than superficial. Joy becomes the goal and odds of living a fulfilling life are high.” WOW!
I absolutely LOVE Jason’s Table! My favorite aspect is how his words challenge me to assess my Table, what it looks like, and who surrounds it:
- What does my table look like?: Is it a rigid, unchanging piece of furniture, or does it expand, contract, and change shape as I desire and at my will? Is it used and cleaned regularly, set with dishes and the expectation of a meal, fellowship, and quality time? Or does my table have a layer of dust whose upkeep is burdensome? Of utmost importance, am I actively and intentionally engaged in ensuring my Table’s value, making it one of my life’s centerpieces? As I ponder these questions, I am forced to determine if my “life’s nucleus” is something I am proactive in maintaining, or if I am allowing life to determine the state of my nucleus.
- Who’s at my table?: When I look at my life, who and what are the influences I let in? Am I engaged and intentional with my time, and who receives it? Do I care enough about who sits around my table to tell some people “no,” while doing everything in my power to ensure the company I keep? Are the seats filled with people that reflect my priorities, and am I a man others want at their table? Is joy a goal, and are the odds high of living a fulfilling life?
So who’s at your table, and is your life better with their presence? And more importantly, are others’ lives better because of your presence? If not, do something about it today!
To become a KINETIC Man, join the Storehouse Mastermind!
Written by David Gutierrez
