My pal Laura, a Silicon Valley executive, introduced me to her idea of “Eventchilada,” which we define as, “I feel helpless and wish I could fix others’ pain. So let’s feed them.” In fact, we quite literally make people enchiladas. You see, I can do a lot of things to help people – errands, household chores, weeding, painting, carpooling their kids. But what I really want to do is ease their pain or sorrow. Enter Eventchilada – a kind of therapy for the soul.
The Eventchilada concept came in particularly handy last week – just after Harvey and Irma and just before the terror attack in London – when one of my Vivoers texted from vacation expressing the guilt he felt about basking on the islands while his Floridian friends were scared for their lives and homes. I answered simply, “I get you. You need Eventchilada.” He thought I had voice-texted another typo and wondered how an enchilada could ease his woe. But I quickly explained Eventchilada, leaving it up to him how he would interpret and create his own variation of Eventchilada – his own unique way to help people and to feel better.
For Laura and me, Eventchilada means gathering a few friends and pouring some wine while making four families’ worth of enchiladas for people we know can use some love. It’s a small way we relieve the feeling of helplessness during other people’s times of need. Lately our recipients are families we know are going through some really tough times. Obviously, Laura and I can’t cure people’s physical or mental illnesses, but we do know how to make a mean enchilada that might help someone smile.
For my Vivoer on vacation in Hawaii, however, Eventchilada might look different. I suggested he consider doing something to help people such as packing food or clothing; organizing a blood drive; or even going to Florida to assist in rebuilding. He may not make it to Florida, opting instead to volunteer at a local shelter. He may even have to settle for painting rocks and hiding them around his town to spread some colorful joy. Or maybe he’ll adopt a dog. But his event – his unique Eventchilada – will help him channel his need to help others.
What will your Eventchilda look like? While you’re figuring it out, feel free to make enchiladas like we do. You can use any recipe you want, though the assembly line and the beautiful way she packages each meal with wine, flowers, etc., is Laura’s proprietary secret sauce. Even more important, however, is to think of your Eventchilada or Packagepalooza or your Rebuild-Regalia as a cure for when you’re hurting for others.
The fact that someone will receive and appreciate your output is the icing on the cake. But make no mistake about it, Evenchilada feeds more than the bellies Laura and I serve. It feeds my soul.