What A Cabin Weekend Taught Me About Priorities

I’m going to direct you to a blog Seth Godin wrote a few days ago. In it he discusses all the ways guests at your dinner party might have different food and entertainment priorities than you do. He talks in terms of empathy on your part.

The message I got from this is different. Yes, be thoughtful. Yes be gracious. But don’t spend a single moment on trying to please the differing desires and restrictions of everyone who comes. Here’s my story:

A group of friends decided to spend the weekend in a remote cabin. The plan was that each of us would supply a dinner. One person said they wanted gluten free. Another person said no eggs. Yet another had a list of dietary restrictions she had because she was trying a new diet. Two others said they were vegetarian. Some of us tried to accommodate all of these restrictions – my husband and I – and it didn’t work. Neither of us were used to cooking with that number of restrictions and the resulting meal was something hard to really enjoy.

Others didn’t try to do what we did. They made what they liked and to suggested those who had different food needs to bring their own alternatives.

One virtue of having a really bad experience – and a number of friends in close quarters for a weekend who feel unsatisfied was, for me, a really good lesson in what not to repeat.

It inspired me to take a good look at my priorities whenever I invite others to my home for dinner. These days, we cook what we like to eat, and make sure there is something for everyone. Works every time.

Quote of the Week

Action expresses priotities.

-Mahatma Gandhi

How to set the right goals and stay motivated

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Maryanne Nicholls is a Registered Psychotherapist.  To find out more, gain access to her weekly newsletter, meditations and programs, sign up at www.thejoyofliving.co . If you’re interested in the topic of avoiding burnout for people who do too much, you may be interested in checking out my youtube channel.