From when I first joined the Table, my marriage was troubled. By sharing about it I got to move through different ways of seeing what was happening. For a time, I got clearer that I should really give it my all and try to make it work.
By having the Table and the monthly opportunity to get real, this helped me make a decision that could have taken me 10 years longer.
When, later, my new partner was diagnosed with a terminal illness that took her from me in four months, I could let go of my emotions, and cry and sob at the Table without fear. Recently when I found one of my staff had been sabotaging my business I could feel the empathy of the other men, I could say “F***!” and drive home relieved.
Each and every member has had their own roller-coaster ride. We have seen it all from divorce, losing children, losing partners and parents, to our work or businesses thriving and crashing. There have been a few wins along the way for us all, however, the roller-coaster ride continues.
We all have diverse backgrounds, education, interests, faiths, beliefs and outlooks on the world. I do not agree with all men at our Table all the time, however, this is a very unique space where we get to be the people we are as individuals, irrespective of social standing or life circumstances.
We’re now almost nine years on, and if I had to endure on my own the trials and tribulations of what has happened in that time, life would have been much more difficult and I fear would have resulted in me having a much harder outlook than I do today. Instead my outlook is more calm and considered, and I feel privileged to be part of my Men’s Table