More Meaningful Connections

I just returned from 10 days in Italy and I’m here to tell you, we can learn a lot from the Italians on how to live a life full of rich connections. There are so many things I love about Italy, but one of my favorites is the way they approach an evening meal; dinner! In the US restaurants hurry to serve you so they can turn the table for the next party of five: In Italy, the table is yours all night.

It took us a few days to get used to these three- to four-hour meals where no one is rushing you and the focus is on good food and hearty conversation. We studied and observed how Italians approach this ritual of connection and noticed after a few days that we began to slow down too. Slowed down to check in with each other, laugh, share stories, and most importantly… be still and be present.

We were amazed at how easy it was to be present with each other and our surroundings, especially since we had very limited cell phone service and computer availability during those 10 days to distract us. However, we also noticed very few Italians on their cell phones during meals even though they did have it available 24/7.

One of my favorite memories from this trip to Italy happened our last night there. We went to dinner with four friends who live in Rome. There were eight of us at the table, and the deep connections and conversations were magical. We floated out of the restaurant at midnight and noticed the place was still packed with friends and families gathered around their tables… some four hours later still connecting.

There is a wonderful Italian saying, E dolce far niente which means, It’s sweet to do nothing. When was the last time you experienced the beauty of being still and doing nothing?

With September being back-to-school month and the beginning of the fourth and final quarter of the year, it’s easy to get sucked into a rushed, crazy-busy, drive-thru-dinner lifestyle. What if you committed one evening a week to connect with your family/friends and turn off all distractions? Of course, some good Italian wine and pasta could really help!

Here are a few action steps to slow down your life to make room for more meaningful connections…

Perfecting Connecting® Action Steps:

1. Create a family/friends ritual of eating together Italian-style, one day a week. Turn off cell phones, e-mail and incoming phone calls, and make a commitment to be present for at least one hour. You’ll be amazed at what that will do for the important connections in your life.
2. Seek out opportunities to do nothing. Create some space in your life for meditation and reflection. Be still and listen.
3. Commit to taking some time off this year. Most Italians take at least a month of vacation every year to recharge their batteries and reconnect with loved ones. Sit down with your family/friends and start planning your next vacation; it will give you all something to look forward to. Have you heard? Italy is beautiful in the spring…

A presto…Ciao!

Sarah Michel, CSP

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