--by Roshni

Over the past eight months, we've grown to appreciate some of the now typical occurrences that take place at Karma Kitchen every Saturday night -- an hour-long wait list of people who extend down the block; guests who are happy to wait an hour for their dining experience; servers who refuse to take food after 8 hours on their feet, riding on the positive energy that is emanating from guests and fellow servers, alike; fairies who are thrilled at the opportunity to grant wishes to anyone who walks through the door.  Ok wait, maybe that last one is not so typical and warrants a bit of explanation.

Around 2pm yesterday, I got a message from Marianne Hale who currently has her inspirational photos displayed on the walls at Karma Kitchen.  She tells me that aside from being an artist, she has this fairy get-up that she does on the side for Halloween and other events.  If it's okay, it would give her great pleasure to come to Karma Kitchen that night in costume and all. 

It's around 7:30pm, and Karma Kitchen is bursting with positive energy and exuberance!  A party of 12 has come to celebrate a friend's birthday; many old friends and new guests are passing through; and Moses, our Maitre D for the night, has created all sorts of crazy seating configurations to accommodate as many guests as he possibly can.  After all, everyone deserves the Karma Kitchen experience! :) 

Suddenly, a woman walks into the packed restaurant in full fairy costume with wings and a wand to assist her in her mission--to grant blessings to all the guests and servers that night.  I leave the bustling kitchen for a moment to take my turn at receiving her blessing.  She asks me to close my eyes, as she guides me step-by-step, helping me envision my wish being manifested in the world.  The experience is completed a few minutes later with a little sprinkling of pixie dust and a huge hug.  The package of it all -- wings, pixie dust, and wand -- was unusual, but the spirit that drives the fairy is not.

That sincere spirit of giving and trying to spread goodness is what calls us and all our guests back to Karma Kitchen week after week.  Alicia expresses this sense of compassion best through her poem below, which she was inspired to write after her first experience as a Karma Kitchen volunteer last week:

Enough dribble infects us
Compassion lacks surplus
Rub away such disease
Give yourself with ease

It's time for true living
Wisely spend today giving
Just a little can change
A frown you'll rearrange

It's truly your decision
To create a wider vision
One of harmony complete
Engage everyone you meet

Unity n' love will replace
Hatred and such distaste
Once an open heart chakra
Chants a generous mantra

Some doubt will arise
But you'll soon realize
A community of others
Transformed true brothers

For me I know to be true
The more I share with you
Each day again to give
The more I fully live

Week after week, volunteers give their all to create this "wider vision" of harmony in a tiny, unassuming restaurant in South Berkeley.