I’ve heard the saying “What does he/she bring to the table?” It’s something to think about, I guess. In whatever manner you have someone enter your life, what do they bring to your table? Do they bring financial security? Do they bring peace? Love? Laughter? Kindness? Knowledge? Do they actually add something of value or worth? Or, are they just occupying a seat that would be better filled by someone else?

The flipside to that is “what do I/you bring to the table?” Are any of the abovementioned attributes provided by you? Only you know how you want to dress your table. You can decorate it as many times as you’d like until it suits your liking. There isn’t a requirement that the settings be permanent. They don’t have to match identically. They should all compliment one another in one way or another. And, they should all mean something to you.
My table is full. Some seats have had different occupants,  while others have been unchanging. I’ve made my table larger, over the years. One seat never changes, and that’s mine. I sit at my own table. I don’t walk around it. I don’t play musical chairs. I don’t hover over it and admire my pretty settings. I sit. I contribute. And on the chance that I’m slacking, my fellow guests remind me why I’m there. I exude kindness, love, peace, care, humor, realness, honesty, wisdom, motivation, bravery, failure, success, and patience.

I have said many times over that I don’t say these things to boast about myself. I know all of it is true, because I know my worth. I have faltered and lost sight of it in the past. And, I promise that I will probably do that again! But, one thing is for certain, I will always find it again. My table ensures me of that. My table is stunning. It’s dressed in different shapes, colors, sizes, and brilliance. Each piece has its own flaws, be it a crack, chip, or discoloration. Not one piece looks alike, but when put together it is magnificent and unique. And, each piece is perfectly imperfect.

One thing that I have learned, through trial and error, is that I didn’t and don’t have to fill my table too fast or all at once. Things can be changed or rearranged. When is the last time you’ve pushed your seat back and did a once over of your table? Have you even sat down to join those gathered at your table? Does your table need to be cleared off and reset? We cannot be afraid of changing how our table looks. But know that before it can be properly presented, we must provide the very first setting. We must be the foundation of the beauty we hope to create. Polish yourself, first. Make sure to know your own value. Until you know your worth, don’t risk depreciating your table.  As I’ve stated, my table is set. There is a Ying and a Yang. There is balance. There is acceptance. There is respect. It has taken me breaking and mending pieces of myself to become the setting that I want to be. I am willing to take myself back to the fire to get my glaze back. I am no longer afraid of clearing a seat and allowing it to remain empty. All are welcomed, but only those that do not pose a risk of disrupting the peaceful ebb and flow may have a seat.