Eating with friends...

“To make a friend, go to someone's house and eat with him… The people who give you their food give you their heart.” Cesar Chavez

I (Paul) have been eating with friends and friends of friends in every city I’ve visited. I’ve felt welcome, connected and known. So I’m traveling across the USA to meet friends and explore interest for Open Kitchens Project. I’ve had fun (real post-pandemic fun), enjoyed amazing food (I LOVE to eat), and learned about myself.

I’m seeing more clearly how sad I was through the pandemic. I lived in my beloved Cambridge Cooperative Club with 7-ish other people and enjoyed our regular weekly meals together, but was totally lonely.

I’ve evolved…come to find out

It’s enlightening to witness who I am through the eyes of friends from different seasons of my life. Like the small acorn that grows into the might oak, I’m still me, but a more mature version. For example, when in college my friends would joke: ‘I’m Castiglione-ing’, which meant they were in deep conversation about the meaning of life - converting my last name into an action verb. And now I invite people to ask meaningful questions as a way to inspire connective conversation over dinner.

I highly recommend taking time to talk with old (and new) friends over dinner…regularly. I’ve learned that I was a role model to some, an inspiration to others, and that I already am what I hope to become.

Want to find your mojo?

I’ve said to friends over dinner in every city I’ve visited: “I’m traveling to find my mojo.” In Dallas, Lisa told me, you’ve already found it, it’s who you are…move on already to what you want to do with your mojo. Ok, here I go!

Mojo (noun) - a seemingly magical personal charm, power, or influence over other people.