practices

Whenever someone invites me to some event, personal or professional, my reply, regardless of acceptance or decline, is "Thank you for including me."

I think it's a nice way for people to know that I genuinely care that they value my expertise or intelligence, my ability to bring the fun, my cooking skills, whatever. I'm glad to feel included in their panel discussion, their lives, their love.

*

One day, I won't feel

Like our plans have been usurped:

I'll feel included.