This post is inspired by the Social dimension of wellness.
Social wellness is about relating. It's about attracting and maintaining long-lasting relationships. Further, it involves building healthy, nurturing, and supportive relationships as well as fostering a genuine connection with those around you by taking the time to listen and learn from others.
“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.” - Woodrow Wilson
If you’ve been around for a couple of decades like I have, you know that life is full of changes. That often means that our social circles change too, so we're left wondering how to meet new people. Two years ago, my husband and I were lucky enough to stumble upon and move to an area called Casey Key. Casey Key is a barrier island off the coast of Southwest Florida. During the past two years, we have met the most warm and welcoming people, so it made sense for me want to have a get together and get to know them better!
Recently, I had the pleasure of hosting a progressive dinner. If you are unfamiliar with the term, it is a dinner where different courses of a meal are eaten at different peoples' houses. For example, one person hosts drinks and appetizers at their home, and then the group transitions to someone else’s home for soup and salad. When it’s time for the main course, the group progresses to the next house. Typically, the night will finish at the last house for dessert. Casey Key is very special because golf carts are considered street legal. So, the people who have them and took part in this dinner were able to cart from house to house.
Though I haven’t yet gotten the opportunity to really know these couples, it got me thinking about friendships in general. Not only did our dinner progress but our friendships, too! A progressive friendship is designed to challenge aspects of your character that perhaps won’t be favorable on the next level. A progressive friendship should stir up your potential, propel your thought process and further your ambition. But not everyone is up for this kind of friendship.
“Ultimately, the bond of all companionship whether in marriage or friendship is conversation.” - Oscar Wilde
Now, I realize that there’s no one formula to become better friends with everyone you meet because not everyone you meet is going to want to hang out with you. And, certainly, not everyone you hang out with is going to be your closest friend simply because people aren’t always compatible in terms of interests and values. But I have come to learn that that’s okay too. We can still enjoy our friendships on a casual level without the need to be completely compatible. In fact, with these types of friendships, we can still find someone interesting and learn from their different points of view. Friendships grow closer only if each person feels the other one is someone they can count on, someone they can trust and someone they know has their back. That is what I call a progressive friend: a friendship taken to the next level.
My message is this. Building healthy relationships begin within, so start by focusing on yourself. If you are comfortable with who you are, others will pick up on your confidence and immediately feel that you are someone worth knowing. With this in mind, it’s important to adopt a positive attitude and proactive state of mind. Actively seek new opportunities and take time to really think about how you can be more social and bring people together.
So, don’t squash your opportunities when it comes to meeting new people! Take the lead just like I had with my progressive dinner. It will open you up to the potential of progressing into long lasting friends!
“Good food is all the sweeter when shared with good friends.” - Unknown
Recipe of the Day: Mashed Butternut Squash
INGREDIENTS
1 large butternut squash about 3 to 4 pounds
2 tablespoon olive oil divided
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup plus additional to taste
1 teaspoon kosher salt divided, plus additional to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper divided, plus additional to taste
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg freshly grated if possible
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
1/4 cup almond milk or milk of choice use half & half or full-fat coconut milk for a richer flavor
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast optional but very good
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
INSTRUCTIONS
Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. For easy clean up, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Wash and dry the squash. Trim off the top and bottom ends, then carefully slice it in half lengthwise. (No need to peel it.) Scoop out the seeds. Place it cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet.
Brush the cut sides of the squash with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and the maple syrup. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, or longer depending upon the size of your squash, until very tender and the squash pierces easily with a fork. Let rest until cool enough to handle.
Carefully scoop out the flesh and place it in the bowl of a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl. Add the nutmeg, cayenne, milk, Parmesan, parsley, and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mash the butternut squash, either by hand with a potato mixer, or with an electric hand mixer on low speed, or the paddle attachment of a stand mixer on low speed, until it is as smooth as you like (we leave ours a bit chunky).
Taste and adjust the seasoning as you like. Enjoy hot.
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