Kitchen Table Conversations

When I entered into the Next Best Brilliant Idea for Humanity competition, I asked myself two questions; 1)  “Is it really possible that a family meeting, once a week, has the power to strengthen a family?”  and 2) “Do I believe that through families uniting, we could strengthen the world in which we live?”  Having experienced the rewards that comes from a family meeting, I can, without hesitation, say “Yes” to the first question.  In challenging times we pulled together and turned a time of crisis into our gift.  The answer to second question is what fuels my passion and is the reason that I created Kitchen Table Conversations.

Alex Haley spoke the truth when he wrote, “Family is the link to our past and the bridge to our future.”  We live in challenging times, so the bridge we build for our children’s future must be strong.  If your bridge is well-built, you can reap the rewards and be a part of the ripple that strengthens and unites us all.

As families become stronger, so goes our communities, our nation and our world!

So, in my heart, I believe the answer to the second question is a resounding, “YES!”.    As one of the top 5 in the Next Best Brilliant Idea for Humanity competition, I am excited about the journey that lies ahead.  I thank you for being here and sharing in what I believe will be a World-Changing Movement – Bringing Families Together, One Kitchen Table at a Time.

It’s the early 70’s, and the class has just been asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”  We all take a turn.  Most of the girls want to be a school teacher or a nurse.  The boys are going to be policemen, firemen and doctors.  It was my turn and eagerly I answer, “I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, I just know I want to do something to change the world.”  One boy laughs and asks if I also want world peace.  I don’t respond, but think, that would be really great too.  The teacher encourages me to answer again.  I repeat, “I am just not sure, I only know that I want to do something that will help a lot of people.”  She continues, so you want to be a teacher or a nurse?  Feeling a little pressured I reply, “I don’t know, just something really big!” 

Although I am usually quiet, the teacher decides that I am being disrespectful and asks me to visit the principal’s office.  On the edge of tears, a teacher-in-training escorts me down the stairs and into the waiting room where two other kids are awaiting their fate after a fight on the playground.  The teacher explains to the principal that my answer, or lack thereof, has caused a concern.  The principal, giving a puzzled look, clearly wonders why I have been sent to her.  Without a word, she turns me around and sends me back to class.  I don’t know the teacher’s name that  is walking with me, but to me her name is Angel.

As we move back toward the classroom, I am feeling bad about myself.   Just before opening the door Angel kneeled before me, and asked me to look up at her.  What she said in that moment changed my life forever.  “I thought what you said was beautiful.”  Without taking her eyes off me, she continued, “Don’t ever try to fit in, when you were born to stand out.”

There are so many times that her words have touched my heart and given me strength.  By request, I recently finished designing a new placemat for classroom conversations for 3^rd – 5^th graders, I am thrilled to include her message.  The first rule now states, “Celebrate Our Differences.”  When we respect and appreciate our differences, everyone’s strength’s can be discovered.  When we celebrate the uniqueness and possibilities that every person brings into this world, we realize our limitless potential.

“Our greatest strength as a human race is our ability to acknowledge our differences.  Our greatest weakness is our failure to embrace them.” – Judith Henderson