Chilean Words of Wisdom

Last night my friend, Dorothy, took me out to dinner to celebrate my birthday. The restaurant I chose is one of my favorites; a Chilean place named Pomaire. I had discovered this place over a decade ago, when my then-boyfriend from Chile brought me there. I recently rediscovered it and had forgotten how incredibly delicious the food is and how nice the people are. Perfect for celebrating my birthday.

My last visit there I had spent some time talking with the owner; a real gem of a soul. Last night we picked up the conversation right where we left off. I told him that it was my birthday, he told me that his just passed. "A Libra?" I rhetorically ask him. He goes on to tell me that Libras are bridges--connectors--"we connect people." How true I think, knowing how magical many situations there have been in my life. I then remember a song that Derek often plays in his workshops.

It goes:
"I would whisper love so loudly, every heart could understand
That love and only love can join the tribes of man
I would give my heart's desire, so that you might see
The first step is to realize that it all begins with you and me.

Love can build a bridge
Between your heart and mine
Love can build a bridge
Don't you think it's time."

We talked about the President of Chile coming to NYC a couple of weeks ago and the meeting that took place between him and the President. The restaurant owner had recently set up a non-profit organization to help the children of Chile and many Chilean politicians and ex-pats were joining together to get this foundation started. "I connected all these people." Yes, a bridge he was.

I tell him about Derek & the House of the Children and what the organization is doing for children in India and El Salvador. We talk about changing the world, sharing what you have and the redistribution of wealth. I remember and share what an old friend once said to me: "If Jesus couldn't save the world, what makes you think you can?" True. But I don't have to. Recently I was sitting with Derek asking him about changing the consciousness of a group. "You can't. All you can do is change your own thinking. When each person changes their own thinking, then the group changes."

Just focus on cleaning up my own consciousness...I can do that.

The restaurant owner goes on to tell me that all you ever need to do is to affect the life of ONE person. Even better if that person is a child.

Two people from two very different walks of life working toward the same goal. Beautiful. And now I am the bridge between them.

Another tidbit of insight from my Chilean friend...

I start talking to him about making asado, a beef roast that I have tried to perfect for years to no avail. He tells me the secret of making a good asado. You dip a handful of parsley in beer and go like this; motioning like a priest with Holy Water on Good Friday. "Oh, like you are blessing it?" I ask. "Exactly. But you want to know what really makes the food taste so good? When you make it with love. Because it is energy."

Now where have I heard that before? Derek, is that you?

I also talk to him about one of my favorite Chilean phrases,"en pelota" which literally means naked. He tells me that in Chile people say, "Vamos a hablar en pelota." which means "Let's talk honestly...transparently." I thank him for clarifying that phrase for me. Because if someone had said that to me, I may well be the first to take my shirt off.

Go visit the Buddha yourself and have an INCREDIBLE meal made with love.

POMAIRE
371 West 46th St
b/w 8th & 9th Ave
212 956 3055

And tell him Linda sent you.