plan the perfect party

Budget, time and space are not issues. Imagine that you have unlimited funds, can travel to anyplace you wish, and can invite anyone (now living or dead) to spend one magical evening with you.

Where would it be? What city? In a house? On a boat? In a restaurant?

What year is it?

What food is served? What wine? Who prepares it?

Who are your guests. Make the party as grand or intimate as you like. This is the perfect party for you. Maybe you like big groups, or maybe you prefer intimate dinner parties. It is up to you.

What do you wear? Is it formal or casual? What is everyone else wearing.

-- complete description, then come back and read below --

Let's look at your choices. First, the location. What does this tell you? Is it a place you are near or is it a place you have never visited? Is the time the present, or a nostalgic look back at a time past? Why did you make those choices? Is it a place you should visit again? What made/makes that year a good one to have the perfect party?

Look at your guests. Were the people you invited mostly current friends? Old friends (maybe you should look some of them up!), are they famous people? If so, what are they famous for? What made you drawn to them? Are they mostly artists? authors? scientists?

What was the attire? Casual or formal?

If someone came into the party and observed you, what would they think about you? Would they see "the real you"? Would they see the person you want to become? How are you different now from what they would see?

Of the guests that are alive, how could you connect with them? Could you read a book about them? Could you introduce yourself, or renew an old friendship? What is it about these people that made you choose them?

This exercise can help you see what you value, and what you'd like to become!