chats are dead?

[azulparsnip]

Hi, I'm in an out every other month or so lately -
trying to roll with the punches-
started a part time job last year sitting with a 95 yr old man and it is amazing he is that healthy seeing what he eats!!!!! There must be more going on than just diet.

[azulparsnip]

Sorry 'bout your Dad's passing, Klara.

[Klara]

so glad to see you on the forum again, azulparsnip. Thank you for your care. Since my dad died I've been going through alot of different stages - and also added that since then a friend (who loved mb and I don't know how much it might have helped her) and my mother-in-law has since died. The stage I'm at right now is not the sadness of the absence of others, but rather the starkness that we all get there, so what exactly is our purpose here. Somehow just to keep disease at bay is not enough. Of course, life without disease is much more enjoyable, so to those in that challenge, it is crucial.

But thank G-d I think I am healthy (who knows what's going on inside) and I think alot now of what exactly am I supposed to be doing to make my life meaningful.

We all, including me, am very impressed by hearing of people who live to a nice ripe old age, and most especially if they are healthy (what do you mean when you say he is healthy?? how come he needed to hire you??). Most especially after my father died, I thought alot of what he left me, in ways that still aren't all clear to me, things he taught me, by trying to explain, but mostly by example of his life - what have I taken from him and made my own - it was funny, at the beginning I had this need to cook Hungarian foods and try to remember how my mother cooked them, then I realized I enjoy the mb foods and I don't have to stay stuck in my childhood foods, even if that's what I feel connects me to them (my mother passed away in 2000).

So now my thoughts often are what am I doing that's important - what of me will remain when I'm gone - what have I given over to my children? and often I also think how much do I need to know if there's an afterlife?

Those kinds of thoughts.

Does the man you work for give you life's wisdoms he has acquired over his lifetime???

And I totally agree this mystery of life is way beyond food. Michio Kushi believes food is the basic foundation and from there we build. But as you pointed out, not everyone eats this way and still live out a healthy long life. When I have this conversation with others, the answer usually is, but these people (those in their 80's and 90's) had a much better foundation than children of today. In their youth they didn't have so much processed foods, and most all of their meals were home cooked, eaten in the warmth of being with family members. If my math is right, the man you are working for was born in 1913 and lived his tender years during war times and also during Depression years - there wasn't a great amount of food around I imagine, and people couldn't overeat I'm guessing like today, and for certain not at all these instant food places.

If you look at how macrobiotics is described, it is considered an ART - meaning it's not that scientific, but rather seems to be based alot on intuition, doing what seems right to the person at the time. otoh, there's plenty out there to show that alot of what people are eating today just can't possibly be good for the body - today we do what's easier rather than what's better.

Bottom line I guess is how you yourself feel after whatever it is you eat, no??

Klara

[azulparsnip]

Yes, how you feel after you eat what you eat is foundational.

I really like the part about macro being an art. Living is art.

I think it good you are going thru all those changes. It shows you are loving, caring.


Is Kushi still living?

My friend - I'll call him Mr. H - is in tip top shape- walks with a cane. Had major hip surgery last october. Dr said he has never operated on someone that old and that his bone structure was the best he'd ever seen. He is fairly lucid though sometimes forgetful. Great sense of humor. He loves to talk about his life thru two world wars, the great depression, two wives I am there for companionship mostly. He lives with family but they just carry on and he was somewhat marginalized. He does not watch television when I am there. We talk mostly.
One thing that was a turning point for society from his point of view was the labor unions. Before they came the average Joe worked every day 8 to 10 hrs. Then it went to 6 days a week for 10 yrs or so.

[Klara]

Oops

all day long I remembered that evening would be the chat - came the evening and I got distracted.

Was there a chat?? did anyone come??

Klara

[Klara]

azulparsnip,

Again, how fortunate for you to be able to gain from Mr. H - how sad that our society doesn't recognize and respect our elders - that he, as well as many are marginalized as you say - how much wiser traditional societies are in learning from their elders and putting them in their deserved recognition.

and we too can benefit if you wish to share more.

In response to the uniions, forgive my interjecting my own pride of my religion, but I believe it was Judaism that first introduced the idea of a day of rest and gave it to the rest of the world. I don't know if Mr. H has a religion or would accept that. But it was more than just a day of rest, it was recognizing that we are not the ones in control of this life. Does Mr. H talk about death and sprirtual beliefs??

Re: Michio, I wrote to his son, Phiya Kushi to find out what Michio has been up to. Perhaps you had already heard that he had been ill a couple years ago, but now in Phiya's words:

"Michio is alive and well and recently remarried last November. He has not been very active publicly lately but will soon resume his travels and teachings. His latest public appearances was in June in Europe, traveling and promoting the SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain (SHA WELLNESS CLINIC), a resort spa and clinic that will be completely macrobiotic in its offerings. He also appeared in an interview for the online Macrobiotic Guide based in the UK Interview with Michio Kushi by the Macrobiotic Guide Online.

Michio's next public appearance will be at the Annual Kushi Institute Summer Conference that will be held in Boston at the end of the month (Welcome To The Power of Natural Healing).

Phiya

Klara here: if any of you will be at the Kushi Summer Conference, I'd love to hear your impressions (and be totally honest!!!!!)

[azulparsnip]

Wow - a summer conference . I hope if anyone goes they'll share about it here.

I didn't know a chat was set up. anyway I've been out of town on vacation for a week.

Thanks for the update on M Kushi. The interview was great. His advice is nourishing - humility, gratitude, appreciation, not criticizing others and learn to cook. He was adamant that anyone with a critical spirit was NOT macrobiotic. His little talk on fermentation is given with a good will and joyfulness.

Is that Sha Wellness hangout posh or what?
Mr. H is a methodist (type of christian) who loves God. We often talk about spiritual things.
Pride will pass, but truth will stand forever. We are all here to glorify G-d. The history and future of your nation is witness to His grace and glory.

[Klara]

Hi Azulparsnip,

I think I'm beginning to like your Mr. H. :>)

But interesting what you wrote: The history and future of your nation......

Ah, and the present?? what a mess in so many ways. But we believe we are here in order to fix the mess - kind of same dream as Kushi's tho his is based on food and other ideas and ours is based on what we believe are the Laws as passed on directly to us - I better be careful here - there are some who don't care to read about this religious stuff, so that's ok - funny I've posted before - some things that are religious that have been written by Michio and others never get negative reactions - but sadly I don't have the feeling that would also apply to anything I might write, so I'll try not to (boy, restricting oneself, that's not easy!!!!!!!)

the big dilemna today is people feel often helpless - and that's where we and mb feel differently - each person can do something to better this world. I think you're working with Mr. H is part of that - it's good that the elderly feel they are still giving and have worth - alot of my sadness with my father's passing is I felt he was alone way too much - he was proud that he didn't need anyone's help, that he was still quite functional and can do alot by himself, still, I felt so very badly afterwards that we didn't spend alot more time together and that we didn't appreciate him so much more. Was reading from Dr. Patch's book (called House Calls - How we can all heal the world one visit at a time) (he's amazing!!!!!!) how important it is to visit the elderly, here's what he wrote (I'm sure he wouldn't mind my sharing this, it's what he's all about!!): Here, the key is showing up. So much of our elderly population is lonely and disconnected from family and society. Many live unhappy lives in nursing homes. I encourage everyone to visit our elderly, whether in their home, hospital, or nursing home. Stick around, listen to their tales, and catch them up with you and the world. Try not to be in a hurry. Learn to be comfortable in their often shrunken world. Be ready to walk slowly and speak louder. do not assume that their interests and enthusiasms have waned.

Have the patience to wade through their resignations and feelings of being a burden until you find the sparkle in their eyes. They often feel that peoople look through them and have put them on the shelf. Be respectful and interested in their history and wisdom. Include them in your outings. If you're looking to feel better about yourself, go regularly to nursing homes and be a companion, going from bed to bed. Touch people, sing to them, and get their blood flowing. You can palpably see them come to life (and the same may happen to you!).

All of Patch Adams' works are gems - as is everything he has done. What he says about being with elderly probably applies to everyone. Everyone needs respect and attention.

Now that's fixing the world!!!

Klara