Collaborative Decisions

Last week I went on vacation with four women I didn't know. I piggy-backed on the already-planned trip, invited by a good friend whom I trust.

All six of us are therapists, which set the tone for emotional safety, calmness, real-world discussions, and don't-take-yourself-too-seriously humor. I was so thankful for the new friendships with other professionals I quickly learned to respect. They would offhandedly ask some deep question about our personal lives, then turn around and blast "Pink Pony Club" or "Teenage Dirtbag" (for the twelfth time) from the turtlebox beach speaker. We had a great time.

One of the most impressive things about the trip is the way we (unfamiliar humans) were able to make decisions together. Someone (really it could have been any one of us) would bring up a decision that needed to be made: dinner in a few hours, for example. Someone else would suggest ideas. Others would voice their gentle opinions, each one considered. Vetos were respected. Everyone was welcome to opt out personally, without fear of offending the others.

It was impressively differentiated.

Thanks for a great time girls. It's one thing to try to teach others to build community. It's quite another to experience it. See you next year.