We engaged our guests in this conversation in a number of creative ways allowing them to participate at whatever level they found themselves comfortable doing. For example, on each table we placed a quote and our volunteer servers were asked to share the quote with each guest and invite them to explore how it resonated with them. If they wanted to take it a step further, we gave them each a small rectangular strip of paper and encouraged them to write any statement that came to mind that wanted to share with the Karma Kitchen Community.
As the afternoon progressed, one of our volunteers began to take each strip of paper and loop them together one by one, and then attached these loops to a larger circle display hung just inside the entrance of Klay Oven. Now as people entered and exited, they could read the thought contributions of the many guests that participated with us on this Sunday. Here are just a few of those comments for you to enjoy:
- “We look at the Sun and know that it will rise tomorrow; this is trust. We look at our friends and family and we don’t know what they will do day to day; yet, we trust.”
- “We must all learn to trust each other more. When I have, I’ve always realized that we all have more in common than we have different.”
- “I trust that good things will happen in time.”
- “I think trust means to allow others into your life.”
- “When you trust someone, it is all or nothing. There is no such thing as 10% or 50% or 75% trust. That can be scary, but if you can do it, it is rewarding.”
- “Trust is believing unconditionally – God!”
- “When you open yourself to trust; you open yourself to limitless possibilities!”
Its 1:30pm and we are have way through Karma Kitchen for this session. We have placed a male server to take care of the Community Table and a few of us are just a little concerned because no one has come in to request a seat at his table (it seats 8 – 10). So I go over to the hostess and ask her what she thinks we should do? So after a very short discourse we decided to split the table so that either 2 or 4 people can be seated next, this way our volunteer server will at least have an opportunity to participate with our guests. The two of us then go over to the Community Table and began to shift things around, just at that point the server says to us, “Oh no, you don’t have to do that! My people will be coming soon.”
The hostess and I graciously stepped away and allowed the moment to be saturated in the vibration of faith and allowing. Neither of us had ever experienced this type of action on either side. We were willing to support the courage and enthusiasm of our first time volunteer. Another half an hour passed and still, no one. We looked at the volunteer server and he was still standing there with a charming and hopeful grin that said, “Just wait and see!”
At approximately 2:25pm, thirty-five minutes before the end of our monthly event, 4 young women walk in and request a seat at the Community Table. Five minutes after they were seated and waited on, another women (a personal friend of mine) walked in and requested a seat at the Community Table. Another 5 minutes passed and another pair of women walked in and wanted to be seated at the Community Table. In less than 15 minutes the table was completely filled and everyone was sharing, talking and breaking bread together as if they were at a Thanksgiving Feast.
As volunteers, we were all moved, touched and inspired by the stand in faith that this newbie exhibited so graciously for all to see. And the karmetic gift of the Uni-Verse was to grace his presence with a table full of joyful and beautiful women of all ages and ethnicity. It was beautiful and amazing to watch and very much depicted what Karma Kitchen is all about.
It is not my intention to bore you with the adventures of our Karma Kitchen volunteers however I have just one more story that I must share with you because it also displays the energy, joy and generosity of the Karma Kitchen spirit. However, this particular episode took place in the back where no one could see it unless you were going in and out of the kitchen. Let me provide a bit of background for you.
One of our volunteer positions is to have two of our people serve as platers. A plater works directly in the kitchen with the Klay Oven Chefs placing food on the Thali’s that is served to each of our guests. This particular placement requires our volunteers to be flexible in their disposition, expeditious in their movements, comfortable working in a fast paced environment, and having the ability to work with a team of diverse people in close quarters; communication skills are a plus.
At one point during the afternoon I ventured into the area to assist one of our volunteers in providing tea service to one of our visitors. I heard someone summon me into the kitchen and there in the small space between the stove and the counter top our platers, hostess and liaison were teaching line dancing lessons while the cooks, sous chefs and chefs were playing paparazzi! For a moment I thought about bringing order to this madness when all of a sudden I started dancing along with everyone else. Oh my goodness, it was absolutely delightful!
Later in the day we did our somewhat traditional “Bhangra Break”, where we invited everyone dining with us to join in for dancing and celebration. It is so much fun watching to see who will participate and how much joy they have doing so.
We are now completing one year of sharing Karma Kitchen in Chicago and we are delighted to have so many enchanting and delicious opportunities to get to know one another. It is our intention to continue this event and to find ways to become a broader part of community in Chicago.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
"we all have more in common than we have different." - this phrase got me right here. I tend to have that "me against the world" mentality. I guess I should look at it that we are more similar than alike.
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