Hey there , I have a little exercise for you , followed by a well-known folktale , and I wanted you to just take a moment to consider that it's your very last meal and who you would like to be at your table . You can either draw it out or just think about it , but either way , I'd like you to imagine yourself sitting at the head of the table waiting for people to arrive to share the very last supper with you . Whether or not they know it's the last supper is not important , but I think in this exercise , it's important to know that you do and that you've invited these people to come . I want you to close your eyes and again imagine yourself at the head of the table and imagine who you would invite to join you for your last meal . As you consider this , I want you to get curious about where in your brain you're looking . I want you to think about what your criteria are . This is where you're going to find out what's really really important to you , and why Not just who is important to you . So again , think about who you would invite . There are no rules or regulations . You can even choose to have your last dinner alone .
Speaker 1Maybe you're not at a table , maybe you're sitting outside or having a picnic , wherever you are , take a moment to really connect and visualize where you are and place yourself there . What does it smell like ? Have you laid out the table already ? Are people bringing food or are you serving food ? This is your last supper and you can design it however you like , and once you put yourself there , I want you to really embody how you feel when you're waiting for those guests to arrive . If you have a guest list , I want you to think about them one by one , in the order that you would like them to arrive . Thank you . You might feel something in your heart or in your face . You might smile when you think of them . Whatever it is , imagine them coming to be seated at your table . I want you to take a deep breath in and , as you exhale , let go of any worry or apprehension . And when you breathe again , I want you to take in all the energy of the people that you have invited to join you . Imagine the sounds , imagine the conversation , imagine some of these people getting to know each other for the first time . The common denominator is you . Maybe they already know each other , but they don't really know why they're here , except that you invited them to come and they were grateful for the invitation .
Speaker 1How will you take in this last meal ? Will you share with them what you know , or will you simply be with them ? Do you feel hungry or have you lost your appetite ? Is the table bountiful ? Feel the energy of this beautiful , beautiful table or wherever it is that you're gathering these important people in your life and tap into what it is you value most about each one of them . Take your time . Consider the participant and the observer as you watch them intermingling and eating the food . Take this moment to look at each one of them in gratitude and in knowing for why you've invited them here to your table . Take as long as you need and when you're ready . I want you to consider that these people are a reflection of all the pieces of you , and what you see and love about them is indeed what you see and love about yourself . This table , this meal , this communion , this gathering is available to you in every moment . It's a wonderful lesson to think about who is at your table . You may also recognize that there are others that you'd like to invite as you move forward in your beautiful life , because it's important to understand the value of the people that share our table and to not take them for granted , to not wait until it's the last supper and indeed to recognize how full and bountiful our table is . I hope that you gained some insights from this exercise , and now I invite you to relax and listen to this well-known fable .
Speaker 1Once upon a time , a wise old man decided to go on a journey , so he packed a small bag , said goodbye to his wife and set off . He traveled all day without meeting anyone , and when it was evening he came to a small village . I think I'll stop here for the night , he said to himself . Near the center of the village , he met a group of people , so he introduced himself . I'm a simple traveler , he said , looking for a safe place to sleep and a hot meal . We'd be glad to offer you a place to sleep , the villagers told him . But we have very little food . Our crops were very poor this year and there's not much to eat in the whole village . Most of us are just barely getting by . I am sorry to hear that . The old man said but you needn't worry about feeding me . I already have everything I need . In fact , I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you Stone soup . The villagers asked what's that ? We've never heard of stone soup . Oh it's wonderful , said the old man , best soup I've ever tasted . If you bring me a soup pot and some water , I'll make some for all of us .
Speaker 1And so the villagers rushed back to their homes and when they returned , one was carrying a large soup pot , another had wood for a fire and others brought water . When the fire was going and the water had begun to boil , the old man took out a small silk pouch . With great ceremony , he reached in and pulled out a smooth , round stone . He carefully dropped the stone into the boiling water . The villagers watched eagerly . The old man began to slowly stir the pot , sniffing the aroma and licking his lips in anticipation .
Speaker 1I do like a tasty stone soup . He said , of course , stone soup with cabbage . Now that's really special . I might be able to find a bit of cabbage , one villager said , and off she went to her house , returning with a small cabbage she had stored away in her pantry . Wonderful , said the old man , as he added the cabbage to the pot . This reminds me of the time I had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salted beef . It was unbelievably good .
Speaker 1After a moment of silence , the villager spoke up . I know where there's a bit of salted beef , he said , and off he went to his shop to get it . And when he returned , the old man added the beef to the soup pot and continued to stir . Can you imagine what this soup would taste like if we had a bit of onion , perhaps a few potatoes , and a carrot or two , then some mushrooms ? Oh , this would be a meal fit for royalty .
And before he knew it , the soup pot was filled to the brim with vegetables of all kinds carrots and potatoes , mushrooms and onions , turnips and green beans , beets and celery all brought by the men and women and children of the village . Not only that , but the village baker came out with some fresh bread and butter . And as the soup simmered slowly over the fire , the wonderful aroma began to waft over the villagers and they began to relax and talk together , sharing songs and stories and jokes . When the soup was finally done , the old man ladled it out into bowls and they all shared a delicious meal together . There was more than enough for everyone to eat their fill .
Speaker 1Afterward they all declared that it was the best soup that they had ever tasted . The mayor of the village pulled the old man aside and quietly offered him a great deal of money for the magic stone , but the old man refused to sell it . The next morning he woke up early , packed up his belongings and as he was leaving the village he passed by a group of children playing at the side of the road . He handed the youngest one the silk pouch containing the stone and he whispered it was not the stone that performed the magic , it was all of us together . I'm Lisa Hopkins . Thanks so much for listening . Stay safe and healthy , everyone , and remember to live in the moment .