I’ve been trying not to think about politics this week.
I’m doing a pretty bad job of it, but I’m working on it. Two recent events have lifted my spirits immeasurably, and I wanted to share the idea with you in the hope that you want to borrow it.
Yesterday, as I drove to meet some research friends for lunch, on WGBH’s Boston Public Radio show, hosts Margery Eagen and Jim Braude were asking people to call in and let them know how they were coping with the Category 4 hurricane of political news this pre-election period.
One wise-guy called in and (jokingly?) said “Costco-sized bottles of gin,” but most people were recommending meditation, exercise, or doing hobbies with music on. Some folks said they’d turned off the news entirely. One caller said she’d stopped opening Facebook, and was considering making it permanent – her friends on both sides of the political spectrum were making her crazy.
Meanwhile, I arrive at the restaurant
At the restaurant, we greeted and hugged and sat down. There were 6 of us talking about research projects, big gifts in town, who had moved where, office traditions that just Will. Not. Die., and vendors that drive us nuts. The time flew by. There was lots of laughing.
The same thing happened this past weekend. My OH and I were invited to a dinner party at the home of prospect research friends, and the eight of us (6 researchers, two brave partners) talked all evening about event briefs (groans all around), irrational and irritating prospect hoarding, big gifts in town, wealth in context, and books. (also tv shows, movies, travel and food!)
It wasn’t boring shop talk in the least, but prospect development formed the foundation of our discussion. It was so refreshing to laugh, and talk, and eat, and gossip about our community and our craft together in a completely relaxed, non-work setting with people who truly get what I do every day. For a while I completely forgot about the swirling world outside.
Politics never came up, and it was a relief. Shelter from the storm.
Don’t wait for a conference to get together with work friends you love seeing but rarely see.
Be the instigator for getting 4 or 6 or 8 or 10 of your best prospect development buddies together next week and go out for a long lunch. Invite people across town you’ve only met once. Or have them over to your house for an elegant meal — or take out pizza. Just get together, and take a break from the madness.
And if you’re looking for a conversation starter, just bring up event briefings. Trust me, that’s good for at least 30 minutes of laugh therapy.
