In Africa and in certain cultures of the world, when it is time for meals our mother will place a steaming bowl of the meal in front of us, from which we all dish our hands. Don’t talk to me of hygiene or civilization. I am the son of my Grandma and I have to eat with the rest of the family to learn communal life styles. Today, each of us, away from the village life as we rush to keep up with the speed of our busy lives, one of the first activities we sacrifice is the sharing of a meal with other people. We find ourselves eating alone at the kitchen counter or hurriedly drinking a cup of soup while driving in our cars. Yet taking the time to share a meal with family or a close friend not only feeds your body, but also it can nourish your soul. Companionship can fill the heart the way warm stew can satisfy your belly. Eating a meal with others allows you to slow down, while nurturing your relationships. Breaking bread with others can be treated like a ritual where the gestures of sharing and togetherness are just as important as the food you eat. Planning, preparing, and consuming a meal are all stepping off points toward good conversation, bonding, and learning about someone else. Inviting a new acquaintance to share a meal can be the start of a wonderful friendship. A shared breakfast can be a brainstorming session between coworkers, or it can set the tone for a positive day for family members. Lunch with a friend can be a welcome break from the day's stress, as well as a chance to unwind. Dinner with loved ones can be a chance to talk about the day's events with people who truly care. Sometimes, there may even be no need for conversation, and you may want to share a meal with someone while sitting in comfortable silence. The breaking of bread can be a fulfilling experience, especially when done among people you love and trust. So the next time you find yourself rushing through a meal in front of your computer, you may want to pause and reconsider. The warm feelings, sense of security, and enjoyment you experience from sharing a meal with others may be the kind of break that you really need and not consulting a psychiatric nurse or the Counselor. Talking about meals, no one has invited me for the turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Day. Forget it, if no one invites me, I will go to the riverside to have a good meal with the ducks. They are lovely, being fed on a day like this. HAPPY THANKSGIVING
