Autumn Equinox, © Alamy

Volume 12, Issue 9 | September 2023

Hi!

As you may know, I often don’t write and publish my monthly newsletter until the last couple days of the month. However, this morning, Spirit showed me what the topic would be, what each article block would contain, and what music to include—and I hadn’t even asked for the guidance since month-end was a week out! But “hearing” it all come together got me inspired and passionate, and most eager to put it together despite a number of somewhat urgent items on today's To Do list. Nevertheless, I’ve learned to follow my inspiration and let the creative juices flow when they appear. So, welcome to my September 2023 newsletter a bit earlier than usual!

As I went to spoon out some coconut oil to fry today’s breakfast eggs in, I noticed how it was no longer pure liquid, but starting to congeal. Ah yes, the cooler weather is here. Welcome to autumn 2023, which started today!

In addition to another revolution around the sun each year, the passing of one season to another is a powerful time to reflect on one’s life. I have to admit that these days I often reflect about how I’ve grown older and am amazed at how many years—decades, in fact—have passed. And, I keep growing older and older! I know I’m not alone in this. That is just part of life, but when I was younger I rarely gave thought to the subject. Still, it’s the natural order of things and I am s-l-o-w-l-y coming to accept it.

I’ve always thought that since I chose not to have children (no regrets there, for sure!) and had little interaction with other peoples’ children over the decades, I didn’t go through their milestones of life which I think would’ve gotten my mind to internalize this concept of the progression of birth to death.

We can still contribute much to life no matter our age, no matter what the physical or mental disposition. This month’s newsletter focuses on the latter part of the life cycle, showing that joy and usefulness are possible. With Spirit present, in any moment, at any age, joy and beauty exist and are possible to be aware of in some way.

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The following song was the first and only one Spirit conveyed to me to incorporate into this month's newsletter, and it made perfect sense!

In her song “The Circle Game,” Joni Mitchell tells the story of a child's journey to adulthood. She uses a carousel as a metaphor for the years that go by, pointing out how we can look back, but we can't return to our past.

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Blessings,

Spirituality

Balance and Wisdom

Inspiration and Contemplation

Beauty Thanks to You

You may be familiar with the old folk tale about the woman who carried water home every day from the river using two pots at either end of a bamboo pole. There are some variations on the story, but the following version is a reminder that being of older age does not detract from our usefulness and contributing to the beauty in this world.

The woman carried water home every day from the river using two pots at either end of a bamboo pole. One pot was new, the other old. When she got home, the new pot was still full, but the old pot had leaked out half its water. The old pot felt bad and useless, apologizing to the woman for no longer being able to do its job very well. The woman turned and pointed back to the path she had taken and said to the old pot, “Do you see all those flowers on your side of the road? Every day you water them. Every day my walk is filled with beauty, thanks to you.”

People Making a Difference

Restaurant Supports and Empowers Individuals Living with Dementia

If you’ve ever been to Japan, you know that in Japanese restaurants, mistakes are not made. And, on the off chance that a mistake is made, even a trivial one, the lengths that proprietors will go to make things right with their customers must, in the eyes of a Westerner, be seen to be believed. But as its name suggests, the Tokyo pop-up “Restaurant of Mistaken Orders” does things a bit differently.

In 2015, Shiro Oguni opened the restaurant and hired women and men diagnosed with various stages of dementia as wait staff. He was inspired to bring compassion to those who were isolated and suffering in memory care group homes and founded the restaurant as a way to raise awareness and celebrate the quirks of living with that condition.

The servers all seem to have a knack for building rapport with their customers—a skill when working front-of-the-house in a restaurant is essential, especially when mistakes happen. Correct and incorrect orders are delivered, but the diners seem to enjoy the experience either way. “37% of our orders were mistaken,” the restaurant reports, “but 99% of our customers said they were happy.” This contains another truth about Japanese food culture that anyone who has eaten in Japan will acknowledge: whatever you order, the chance of its being delicious is approximately 100%!

“The restaurant is not about whether orders are executed incorrectly or not,” notes Oguni. “The important thing is the interaction with people who have dementia.” And, it has succeeded as a “restaurant of never-ending laughter.”

I am touched by this endeavor and hope that as we all age—it’s inevitable—many such experiments will be in place, inspiring people to be more caring and compassionate. When we realize we are all connected and our journey through Life takes us to similar places, we will more readily help and love one another.

There are numerous articles and videos about the restaurant, its concept, its goals, and more. See the list below for a few:

• At Japan’s Dementia Cafes, Forgotten Orders are All Part of the Service

• Restaurant of Mistaken Orders Brings Smiles

• The Restaurant of Mistaken Orders: A Tokyo Restaurant Where All the Servers Are People Living with Dementia

Welcome to the cooler temps of the autumnal equinox here in the Northern Hemisphere. Time has been flying by, and with fall now here, Thanksgiving and the Season of Light will not be far behind.

Enjoy this time of slowing down and reflecting about your Life’s journey, the people you’ve met along the way, and the presence of Spirit everywhere and everywhen.

Blessings,

Let us not forget!

Joyce S. Kaye, MSW

928.301.7292

joyce@thecomputerspirit.com

You, Me, and Spirit

I was a devout atheist until 33 years ago when I "came to believe" in a Power greater than myself. Thanks to hearing the novel idea (well, at least it was to me!) that one could choose their own concept of God—and name too (Spirit, The Great Mystery, All That Is, etc.)—and the workings of synchronicity, I embarked on a new way of thinking, a new way of living, a new way of being in the world and with others. It impacted all aspects of my life and relationships.

Since that time of commencing my conscious spiritual journey, I have endeavored to remember The Presence in all that is, all whom I meet, and all that I do—including working with clients in my own business, academia, and the corporate world. I strive to be of service and to nurture the human spirit in all environments.