How a Theme Turned an Ordinary Brunch Into an Extraordinary Moment

Oh, I truly love a theme party. I believe that intentionally designing an experience, whether it’s a strategy session for a team or a simple Sunday brunch, is the secret ingredient to an extraordinary life.

So, when my birthday rolled around in 2024, right after the Cowboy Carter album drop, the theme practically declared itself: Texas Hold 'Em Brunch.

The Resistance Was Real (But Short-Lived)

Now, here’s the thing about themes: they thrive on participation. Initially, my inner circle, my beautiful, loving friends, were skeptical.

"Another theme? I have nothing to wear for this!" one friend texted."Do I really have to wear a hat? I will look crazy on the subway." another asked.

I work a lot with people on overcoming inertia and the power of collective alignment. This was my personal moment to apply it! I reminded them gently: We are having a moment. We are taking something utterly ordinary and transforming it into an unforgettable memory through shared intention and a little bit of playful flair.

The Payoff: Extraordinary Out of the Ordinary

They showed up. And when they did, they showed out. They laughed that some of them, fresh off planes, had changed in the airport. We had sequins, denim, fringe, a spectacular array of cowboy hats, one friend even opted for chaps. The whole atmosphere and energy was electric.

We blasted Cowboy Carter (obviously), sipped themed cocktails, and played ridiculous Beyonce-themed games that had us crying-laughing. We even had a special cowgirl dance performance! The simple act of stepping into a role forced us all to be more playful and present.

The Lesson: Lean In

Whether you are:

• Planning a big gathering for your community.

• Designing a structure for a challenging conversation.

• Or simply deciding how to spend your Saturday morning.

  
  

The deliberate choice to add a layer of intention, creativity, or even fun absurdity (like a fringe jacket for an 11 AM meal) is what separates a passive activity from an active, joyful memory.

You get to lead the experiences you have in this life, and the moments you intentionally build are the extraordinary memories you’ll keep.