“I’m Just Happy to Be at the Table” from “The White Lotus” #FridayFeeling

Realization, awakening, and inspiration can come from unexpected places …

As I watched the season finale of “The White Lotus,” I sat with great anticipation to find out who died and to find out the ultimate pathway of the characters. Because the story arc of the show is just that, while a character (three this season) may die, the others go through some sort of transformation, good or bad. So I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat to see where all of these characters would land.

Little did I know that I myself would land someplace … a little spiritual awakening. A little personal growth. Some realization.

It caught me completely by surprise, and it came from the character played by Carrie Coon, in what was essentially her closing monologue.

The way the character talked about her choices throughout life, her constant pursuit of a pathway forward, her longevity over time … it was so incredibly relatable to me. And she put it all in perspective of her friendships and how being together made it all so meaningful.

But what struck me the most, through all the years of choices and decisions and challenges … she is still here. “At the table.” Still at the table with her two friends. Living apart yes, but always together.

And I took to mean … still at the table of life.

I too have been around for a long time. At work and with friends. I’ve made plenty of choices/decisions through the years, and not all of them were good, “if I’m being honest,” as the character says.

But I’m still here. With determination, with perseverance, through it all. With my friends and my work colleagues. We are honest with each other, sometimes directly so, and we respect each other as a result.

We are often apart, but oh so together. We sometimes talk about the inane, but it is still somehow deep!

I’ve carried this monologue with me all week. It’s given me a new view on my life, especially right now at this stage of it.

I’m still at the table, all these years. I’m here and I’m still making choices, making decisions, and making my life work. I intend to keep on keeping on. I’m still contributing to those around me (hopefully with some meaning), and they are absolutely still contributing to me with great meaning. Profound meaning.

I cherish it all. I am so inspired. I’ve had a spring in my step since I watched the episode and I’ve replayed this monologue over and over. Repeat!

Thank you Mike White for the incredible writing that captured my life (and many others), and thank you Carrie Coon for the incredible inspiration in the delivery that moved me (and many others, just take a look at social media)!

How about you? What’s your experience?