Sharing Meals Heals, An Italian Menu for Inner Peace

Sharing food and stories heals the body, mind, and spirit and invites an unexpected intimacy among partakers, thereby dulling emotional swords and developing empathy even among divergent cultures, religions, color, social rank, and personalities. While munching and crunching during the meal, we realize our oneness, drop defenses, develop trust, discuss a dilemma, recount our days, or share a funny story. With defenses down, we nourish each other emotionally and spiritually. No wonder the great teacher Jesus used a food ritual to develop community! I know a planned warm meal, a quickly prepared snack, or a potluck shared in a gracious way smooths meetings and support groups, warms relationships, and enhances communication.