Open Diner Live: Recent Episodes
Open Diner
Open Diner is a common virtual space where people like you and I, from all around the globe, can come together for a hosted meal with music, toasts, discussion, and more, while staying safely at home. We are social creatures, and we crave connection.
Join us every week at 6:30pm EDT / 5:30pm CDT: - on Zoom to participate in the discussion - or watch the live stream on Facebook Live - or on YouTube Live.
Everyone is welcome!
Our podcast is updated every Thursday evening.
The world was given to us so that we use it to find connection with each other and, through that, harmony, happiness and peace.
The method that leads us there only requires that we actively leave room for others, right?
We explore the power and benefits of human synchronization: what will happen the day we all grow up! :)
If you do not yet have love in your life, you are missing something absolutely essential. Those who feel loved, those who give love experience true happiness.
But how do you find it? Is there an attitude that attracts and retains this desired quality?
How often do we experience the power of teamwork? The natural world shows us everywhere the strength of teams, while we are always at war with each other.
When humans reach the point of building teams on the model of nature, the results will be beyond amazing. True connection is in our future and its benefits will change history.
Let's talk about Teamwork 2.0.
There definitely was a plan for creation. We are usually not aware of it. Which leads us to wander and make "mistakes" since no one is never sure which way to go and how to behave with each other.
But one notion is certain for everyone: there is an attitude that turns life into a painless, even joyful experience.
And we all need is directions to find it.
Let's explore this.
How do we surround ourselves with supportive people?
How can we ourselves be a catalyst that brings a smile to everyone around you, whether they are family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, strangers...?
What is the key to building an environment that is a powerful and reliable life-support system?
We often seek spirituality within ourselves, like discovering a hidden door behind a bookcase deep within our minds.
However, what about the entirety of creation? What purpose does it serve, and why does the universe exhibit such remarkable precision?
It seems as though a master clockmaker meticulously crafted every part to fit seamlessly, humans included. Yet, our task is to discern our role within this grand design. It appears connected to the profound act of learning to give.
We embark on a journey to a spiritual experience.
The one thing that sets us apart from all other forms of life: the purpose of our actions.
The ability to take the intention to the next level -- the aim to do good to others -- allows us to attain the level of the Upper Providence that governs all of nature. This unlocks for us harmony, peace and lasting happiness.
But how do you master a corrected intention?
Can you believe 2024 is already here!!!
We have to be able to do better than in 2023. Not pretend. Not just hope, wish, or pray. Seriously! It's time to start something and turn things around for good.
So... DO YOU HAVE A PLAN?
elf-awareness is our ability to notice our thoughts and feelings and how they influence our behaviors. It is a huge factor in being happy and living a purposeful life. The truth is that we are products of our environment, and many of us rely on the external world to tell us how to live. Therefore, we fail to fully discover our values, dreams, and patterns – all important keys that can help inform our decision-making in important situations.
When we look at the outside world to answer our relationship problems, we discover that most of the people around us are single, divorced, or hiding behind a façade while being deeply unhappy in their marriage. So doing what most do may not be the best solution when it comes to building and maintaining strong relationships.
During this session of the Open Diner, we'll talk about how to become more self-aware in order to benefit our lives and relationships. Join us for this great event!
Just think for a moment: how many times have you tried to change something about your partner, and how did this actually work out? Usually, it does not work because you cannot change others.
After making this mistake over and over, we discover that any change in a relationship needs to start with me, as my judgments are always the result of my subjective perspective. In this event, you will gain practical tools that can help you expand the shared space between you and your partner, making you a better partner for your future or current relationship.
Singles as well as couples are welcome.
Many people think they know what love is, and are looking for the right person to lavish their love on. But it's no insult, and indeed it might even be helpful to imagine, that we don't have much of a clue what love really is, not because we are deficient, but because our culture never investigates the subject as it should. During this Open Diner we'll explore a very special relationship tip for achieving true love in a relationship.
When we think about love, we think about that warm feeling, confidence, and comfort of being cared for through different gestures and actions. However, true love is measured by how we can withstand both the good and bad times in a relationship.
Singles and couples alike are welcome to attend this free event!
Open Diner is a shared virtual space where people just like you and I can come together to talk about important subjects in a safe and supportive environment. For the next few weeks we will be discussing and learning more about love and relationships. Join us every week at 6:30 PM EDT / 5:30 CDT: Zoom, Facebook Live, YouTube Live.
We hear the words “true love” and “soulmate” thrown around all the time. However, everyone seems to have a different interpretation of what they mean. And while there’s a common belief that you can only be truly happy if you find the right person to complete you, "codependency" is generally considered unhealthy.
What is codependency exactly? And what's wrong with being dependent on your partner? Or, on friends, family, or other close people in general, for that matter?
The problem with codependence is that in today's society, it often leads to very unhealthy behaviors. It becomes a self-perpetuating habit with obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, need to control the partner, to mold them into what you need, etc. That’s why codependency sometimes is also called relationship addiction or love addiction. However, the truth is that it's not real love at all.
The reality is that we all are interconnected and interdependent. That's how we're designed as human beings. And until we can come to a realization of this fact and start learning to use our interconnectedness in a healthy way in order to benefit others instead of ourselves, these unhealthy manifestations will continue.
How do we learn to use our interconnectedness without manipulating and controlling others? How can we avoid codependency and turn it into healthy interdependence? That's what we'll talk about at this session of the Open Diner.
Life is changing quickly. Not knowing what's ahead can be overwhelming, confusing, stressful, or just plain scary.
The pandemic, environmental concerns, social, political, and economic unrest have upended the established order. Many of us have had to adjust quickly as life threw us curveballs in our social lives, at home, work, and other areas of life. And just when you think you've gotten accustomed, it all changes again in a blink of an eye.
In these turbulent times, having the right perspective makes it easier to embrace and welcome change. Often your habits and thought patterns hold you back, and change pushes you to reach new beginnings, which otherwise would be out of your reach.
And most importantly, you don’t have to go through it alone. We are here for you!
Join us Thursdays, 6:30 PM EDT!
Open Diner is a common virtual space where people like you and I, from all around the globe, can come together for a hosted meal with music, toasts, discussion, and more, while staying safely at home
Let's be honest! We are social creatures, and we crave connection.
That's what this project is about. We feel that by sharing ideas around our virtual table, devoid of judgment or criticism, we can come to a vision of a brighter future. And by sharing joy and connection, we can come out of this pandemic quicker, into a new, better world!
So grab a plate, pour your drink of choice, and join us for a meal and a chat. We are all in this together!
It's a FREE event for everyone, and it will be streamed live on the Open Diner Facebook page!
When you turn your face toward a person, you see that person and learn what they look like and how they are acting. When you turn toward your fear (rather than away from it), you can learn from it rather than let it debilitate you. Usually, the fear is trying to teach you something. When you begin to see it as purposeful, like everything else in the universe, the fear can become a tool or a springboard to the new wiser and stronger YOU.
If you try to defy the law of gravity, you will fall and hurt yourself. However, you'll acquire new knowledge that can help you avoid that pain in the future. By learning other laws about the forces that govern our lives, we can acquire power and knowledge. This can help us live in harmony with ourselves, others, and the rest of the universe.
Certain fears are healthy. For example, being afraid when standing at the edge of a cliff can help you practice caution in the face of danger. However, if you don't use the fear to take the necessary steps, the fear becomes your enemy rather than a friend.
We are living in very uncertain and scary times. And many of us are giving in to fear and anxiety, allowing emotion to overcome rational thought, and failing to use those feelings wisely to propel us to good and healthy actions.
During this Open Diner, we'll look fear in the eyes and decide how to use it in order to benefit our lives. Take the first step to overcoming fear: Join Us!
Open Diner is a safe and friendly platform to explore different topics in a great environment! We are stronger together. And we believe that by sharing ideas around our virtual table, devoid of judgment or criticism, we can come to a vision of a brighter future.
In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps you feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve your health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. Gratitude is more than feeling thankful: it is a deeper appreciation for someone (or something) that produces longer lasting positivity.
Although it may feel contrived at first, this mental state grows stronger with use and practice. It helps you refocus on what you have instead of what you lack. Learning to live with gratitude can help you overcome depression, have stronger self-control, greater optimism, and attract more positivity into your life.
Let's come together to express gratitude and learn to live with it everyday.
Think about it: in what kind of world do you want to live? Maybe one where you offer to return a stranger's shopping cart, or you buy lemonade from a child's lemonade stand. Or, maybe one where suddenly you have a surprise flower delivery, or you witness a stranger handing out disposable water bottles to people working outside on a hot day. Perhaps this world is also filled with loving, kind thoughts, words of appreciation, sighs of relief, empowerment, support, and collaboration.
We all want change. However, few are ready to admit that WE need to change. Acts of kindness warm our hearts and the hearts of others. They are good for the soul. They benefit our overall health. And they are contagious! They can spread like wildfire. Positive effects of kindness are experienced in the brain of everyone who witnesses the act, improving their mood and making them significantly more likely to “pay it forward.”
Hello new and improved world. We can create it together! You matter. You can make a difference.
A possible consequence of living in the world today is a feeling of insignificance. The more populated, chaotic, and interconnected the world becomes, the more of its vastness you see, and the more powerless you might feel individually.
Not only does this illusion create a false sense of self, but it often leads to depression and loneliness. As an individual, you are then left with the feeling that your own actions, feelings, and thoughts count for nothing. You feel that you are too small to change much of anything, and as life spins out of control before your very eyes, your very existence in it becomes meaningless.
We all have a basic human need to feel that we count, that our lives have purpose, that we are not just a temporary configuration of atoms. That purpose exists, and it's waiting to be found. We are here to tell you that YOU MATTER! You are very important. And you can make a big difference.
Join us on Thursday as we explore this topic some more. We'll have live music, a warm and open discussion, and much more.
With all the books and technology on mood-boosting that do everything for us but laugh, we would expect happiness to show up at our doorsteps like a pizza. But it doesn’t quite work that way. Maybe when we’re young, other people orchestrate our enjoyment of life. If we're lucky, our parents go out of their way to keep us entertained, and in college our friends make sure we’re OK. But after that, most of us are left to fend for ourselves. And obviously, we can use some more help because about half of us are depressed.
What this event will NOT be is a step-by-step happiness guide. How draining would that be? What we'll talk about is why we seem to have given up on happiness altogether. After over two years in a pandemic, the coronavirus is no longer “novel” but often feels ancient and eternal. All the talk about the virus has been replaced with talk about the war in Ukraine, as well as the numerous other problems and difficulties that gloom over our present and future.
Everyone seems confused and burned out. And yes, there are plenty of problems. However, the bigger problem is that there is no goal to strive for. Without goals, there are no aspirations, and without aspirations, there seemingly is nothing to live for. Maybe it's time to redefine what happiness is and how to reach it.
We'll talk about that on Thursday! Everyone is welcome. If nothing else, this is a chance to be happy for at least an hour.
Our world is a world of actions that come from corporeal circumstances and activities. The Spiritual world, however, is completely built on intention. Our world is a world of consequences. If our intention resembles the spiritual world, our lives and the whole world can be completely transformed.
Generating spiritual success is no different than physical success; both start with a strong and solid foundation, quality materials, and the best team. At this Open Diner, discover the wisdom and tools to support yourself and the world around you to create the greatest odds for long-term success.
It all starts and ends with an intention.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Where is it? This event is hosted online over Zoom. You'll see the link to join us as soon as you RSVP. Please turn on your camera for the best experience.
Is there a cost? Nope! We want to grow our community, and so we're happy to offer this to you for free. Please do tell your friends about us, though. :)
Open Diner is a common virtual space where people like you and I, from all around the globe, can come together for a hosted meal with music, toasts, discussion, and more.
Let's be honest! We are social creatures, and we crave connection.
We feel that by sharing ideas around our virtual table, devoid of judgment or criticism, we can come to a vision of a brighter future. And by sharing joy and connection, we can come out of this challenging time quicker, into a new, better world!
So grab a plate, pour your drink of choice, and join us for a meal and a chat. We are all in this together!
It's no secret that we are living in a high-stress world. Gas prices, food costs, and monthly utilities are skyrocketing, and our screens are full of images of rocket attacks, refugees, and burning buildings.
We're still recovering from being socially isolated, and COVID is not over! Add to that the stress of our jobs, worrying about finances, problems in relationships, and the hassle of daily responsibilities, and it can be quite overwhelming.
While a certain amount of stress is unavoidable, too much of it can take a serious toll on our physical and mental health.
Think about it:
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Are you having trouble sleeping?
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Or, are you feeling tired despite plenty of sleep?
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Are you having trouble concentrating?
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Do you feel ineffective in your life?
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Do tasks seem to take twice as long?
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Is your mood best described as “Blah” or “Meh?”
Don't ignore these signs. It's important to find ways to manage stress. In fact, with practice, stress can become a useful tool to feel the negative sensations (such as hatred, rejection and division) in order to rise above these sensations and cover them with their positives of love, giving, and connection.
That's what this event will be about. Join us to transform your attitude to stress. Together is the only way!
Feeling lonely? You're not alone.
In fact, according to a study by Cigna, over half of Americans report feeling lonely sometimes or always. Loneliness is one of the most widespread problems of the 21st century. Though we are living in an age of increasing connectivity, many people feel more isolated and alone than ever before. If you're feeling lonely, you're not alone. But there is hope!
This Thursday, we'll be exploring the topic of loneliness some more and talking about the cure. Join us for an enlightening and engaging conversation and a night of fun and games that could change your life. Let's be part of the solution.
Do you feel lonely? Well, you're not alone. Loneliness is an epidemic of the 21st century. As the world grows ever smaller and more connected, ironically, it also becomes increasingly lonely for many.
Additionally, this pandemic has limited our social interactions and increased loneliness and feelings of isolation.
Loneliness is not only emotionally painful, but can be more damaging to our physical and mental health than many psychiatric illnesses. Lonely people sleep poorly, are more likely to experience depression and anxiety, have reduced immune and cardiovascular functioning, and exhibit sings of early cognitive decline.
That is no way to live. Lets talk about it together. Join us!
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Open Diner is a common virtual space where people like you and I, from all around the globe, can come together for a hosted meal with music, toasts, discussion, and more.
Let's be honest! We are social creatures, and we crave connection.
We feel that by sharing ideas around our virtual table, devoid of judgment or criticism, we can come to a vision of a brighter future. And by sharing joy and connection, we can come out of this challenging time quicker, into a new, better world!
So grab a plate, pour your drink of choice, and join us for a meal and a chat. We are all in this together!
It's a FREE event for everyone, and it will be streamed live on the Open Diner Facebook page!
We had so much fun the past few times. This Thursday we are continuing to talk about how to achieve a spiritual connection with your partner.
Three out of five Americans are lonely. Loneliness occurs when there’s a lack of genuine human connection to other people. Genuine human connection (especially with a romantic partner) requires a spiritual component. A spiritual connection, consisting of spiritual consciousness and complementation of each other is the strongest type of connection possible.
So often we get into a relationship and everything is great in the beginning, but then arguments start escalating, and the understanding and support aren't there. This is where the fairytale ends, and the real world begins.
And here you start finding your partner staring off into space or looking at their phone more often than you'd like. Or, suddenly you find that you have nothing to talk about. You are more different than you originally thought, and you lack that deep spiritual connection. You're both great people, but there's just something missing. How do you take your relationship to the next level? Is it even possible?
At the root of reality, everything is one. Kabbalists have found that we are scattered and shattered pieces of a single soul. That single soul is the only substance of creation, made of desire. So, in essence, everyone can be a soulmate if you are connected to and filled by the very force that created your soul, which is an opposite force—the force of ultimate, unconditional, complete abundance and bestowal.
This is the enlivening, creative force of reality that is behind nature.
If we manage to resemble and connect with this force in our relationships, we will begin to uncover that true love that we've always dreamed of. Our relationships will become incredibly more meaningful and important.
By including the spiritual component in our relationships, we will know where to invest more effort, how to get from A to B, and our communication and connection will improve a thousandfold. We'll become true spiritual partners and lovers.
This week we're continuing to talk about "How To Achieve A Spiritual Connection."
What is the secret to being together forever? Taking care of each other. Believe it or not, this could be the most important thing to remember about marriage. Science shows that, when we close our eyes and touch someone's wrist, we feel closer to them. When we hug for 20 seconds, we release the hormone "oxytocin," also known as the cuddle hormone. Try sharing a hug routine with your partner. Before leaving for work embrace in a 20-second hug. This moment of physical touch is very nourishing for your relationship and comforting for both of you.
So often we get into a relationship and everything is great in the beginning, but then arguments start escalating, and the understanding and support aren't there. This is where the fairytale ends, and the real world begins.
And here you start finding your partner staring off into space or looking at their phone more often than you'd like. Or, suddenly you find that you have nothing to talk about. You are more different than you originally thought, and you lack that deep spiritual connection. You're both great people, but there's just something missing. How do you take your relationship to the next level? Is it even possible?
At the root of reality, everything is one. Kabbalists have found that we are scattered and shattered pieces of a single soul. That single soul is the only substance of creation, made of desire. So, in essence, everyone can be a soulmate if you are connected to and filled by the very force that created your soul, which is an opposite force—the force of ultimate, unconditional, complete abundance and bestowal. This is the enlivening, creative force of reality that is behind nature.
If we manage to resemble and connect with this force in our relationships, we will begin to uncover that true love that we've always dreamed of. Our relationships will become incredibly more meaningful and important. By including the spiritual component in our relationships, we will know where to invest more effort, how to get from A to B, and our communication and connection will improve a thousandfold. We'll become true spiritual partners and lovers.
Join us as we continue exploring this topic.
Want to achieve a spiritual connection with your partner? How can you take your relationship from good to great?
So often we get into a relationship and everything is great in the beginning, but then arguments start escalating, and the understanding and support aren't there. This is where the fairytale ends, and the real world begins.
And here you start finding your partner staring off into space or looking at their phone more often than you'd like. Or, suddenly you find that you have nothing to talk about. You are more different than you originally thought, and you lack that deep spiritual connection. You're both great people, but there's just something missing. How do you take your relationship to the next level? Is it even possible?
At the root of reality, everything is one. Kabbalists have found that we are scattered and shattered pieces of a single soul. That single soul is the only substance of creation, made of desire. So, in essence, everyone can be a soulmate if you are connected to and filled by the very force that created your soul, which is an opposite force—the force of ultimate, unconditional, complete abundance and bestowal. This is the enlivening, creative force of reality that is behind nature.
If we manage to resemble and connect with this force in our relationships, we will begin to uncover that true love that we've always dreamed of. Our relationships will become incredibly more meaningful and important. By including the spiritual component in our relationships, we will know where to invest more effort, how to get from A to B, and our communication and connection will improve a thousandfold. We'll become true spiritual partners and lovers.
What is the difference between material and spiritual perception? What is time and space in spirituality? Can we feel opposite things simultaneously in spirituality? How can we perceive the upper force, the Creator? What is the difference between material and spiritual fulfillment?
The spiritual world is a world of forces, which always existed, while matter is an illusion perceived through our five senses.
A great Kabbalist of last century wrote that "there is a sort of a photographic machine in our hindbrain, which portrays everything that appears to us and nothing outside of us." So how do I see what's outside of ME?
What is time in spirituality? What is space?
We live in a world of desires, where the amount of fulfillment I can receive is directly dependent on the capacity of my desire. For example, if I am thirsty, I have a desire for water, and as I begin to drink water, this very fulfillment gradually cancels the desire. Therefore, fulfillment in our world is very limited. And most of our lives are spent chasing short-lived pleasures, which vanish as soon as they're received.
On the other hand, desire in spirituality is a channel that transmits fulfilment from one object to another. That process is infinite, meaning that the desire and its fulfillment are infinite. In spiritual sensation, not a single feeling disappears.
In spirituality, the individual feels others and is in balance with them. All phenomena, people and the whole world are within the individual.
How do we tap into spiritual reality? How do we perceive the Upper Force, or the Creator?
If we wish to make contact with the spiritual world, we must resemble it in our qualities. It is similar to a radio receiver that can only receive the waves of the same frequency that it projects.
In the material world, fulfilment is received only in the form of a result. Naturally, one would gladly skip the path itself that leads to fulfilment.
In the spiritual world, the path itself that leads to the goal is in fact, the fulfilment in and of itself.
Is our future predetermined? Do we live in a matrix? If we do, then can we disconnect from it? What kind of connection are we supposed to build?
What is the purpose of all the unpleasant events in life? What is the goal of the universe?
Can we avoid actually going through all the predetermined unpleasant events in life? Can we build a real “Garden of Eden” on Earth?
If you could look into your future, knowing that then you would not be able to change a single detail, would you want to look? Would you want to know that everything you are going to do is inevitable?
Such a book would make us realize that we are in a “matrix” like in the movie. In that matrix, we are unable to do anything that is outside of a certain fence we can't trespass.
This fence is our nature.
As long as you go with the impulses that are emerging inside of you in each moment, you stay inside of this matrix. And we can’t break out of this matrix trying to do the opposite.
Breaking out of the matrix of our nature and its unpleasant vicious cycles requires an oppositeness; a direction we can’t even feel at the moment. It is a direction that does not occur to us naturally. It can only be described as: connection.
We do not know what this connection is, we never experienced it. It can only be compared to the connection between our biological cells, but on a human level. And reaching this eventually is written in the book of our future, while everything else leads to it.
Our private book of life is our perfect contribution—through different series of events and actions—to this perfect connection that will take place between humanity at the end of our development. Similar to embryonic development, the different cells or particles have to be born, some dying, others connecting and interconnecting.
Humanity also has to go through many different stages individually and collectively.
All of the different, positive, and negative stages of connection and disconnection allow us to eventually bind into one thing. This will unfold between us as it happens in atoms, where particles are held together—without touching each other—by a certain force.
We are going through many unpleasant stages of life that do not feel good at the time, but eventually make us who we are. But there is a way to go through each and every event in life so that we welcome each state, identifying with the goal each state leads to.
We can do this when we start to vibrate with the end goal of the Universe. We can reach equivalence with this certain vibration and start to take in all the situations that come to us in a totally different way.
So, do you want the red pill or the blue pill?
Do you ever feel like you're running on empty? Or, do you feel like you have so much to give, but all your efforts come up short?
We usually judge ourselves and others by the number of "good" acts that the person has been involved in. Yet how do we know what's really good? When we look at the past, we usually see a combination of mistakes that led us to where we are today, which, frankly, is not such a great feeling in the world at large and in many of our individual lives.
Many times we try to do what we deem beneficial to ourselves or others only to realize that we hurt someone in the process. Sometimes our appraisal of a situation is totally wrong and contingent upon a wrong understanding of the goal of the scene that is being shown to us. This tends to deplete us of energy and inner strength.
In truth, all of our desires, qualities, and tendencies have a correct and beneficial application. If we understand the goal of creation and align ourselves with it, we could use every single inclination toward benefitting ourselves and others, as well as building a bright future. However, when our intentions and actions don't align with the goal of creation, we start feeling a certain "pushback" from nature, which expresses itself as disappointment, feeling depleted, and other unpleasant sensations.
This event will be about how to direct your inner strength in such a way that it aligns with the goal of creation, leading to more inner strength and better outcomes!
With all the natural disasters lately, nature obviously is trying to teach us something. Can we hear its message?
We are not just observers! We are very important parts of nature. The better you understand the laws and phenomena of nature and the universe, the more you are able to organize a better and more meaningful life for yourself and others. By learning to understand nature's laws and reactions, you can resemble nature, thereby putting an end to various calamities and disasters in your life.
You can live a life of balance, harmony, meaning, and better connection with others.
A fun event with deep meaningful content in a fun and entertaining atmosphere.
So you’ve been dating each other for a while, or you’ve been married for a few years, but lately, things have been feeling stale. You don’t want to break up, but something has to change, or your love life will go out the door. So how can you make your relationship feel fresh again?
Relationships can lose their spark, that excitement of the hormonal infatuation after two or three years. We try everything possible in order to try and keep that spark alive, and gradually we start to feel increasingly indifferent toward each other, even if everything seems fine, and we seemingly have all we need, but the feeling of excitement is lost.
We can reignite that spark, that initial passion, by rising above our inherently egoistic nature. If we want our relationship to stand the test of time, we have to learn how to love one another above our growing ego. Then, we can open new horizons in our connection, mutually accepting our partner as more important than ourselves.
We can constantly grow and deepen our relationship with the help of the ever-growing ego that gives us hurdles to overcome. Above those hurdles, we discover deeper levels of connection and the love renews itself time and time again. This is the key to feeling new energy and passion in relationships.
We'll talk about how to unlock this door in this session of the Open Diner.
Please note that all Open Diner events start at 6:30 PM EST promptly. No one will be allowed in after 6:45 PM.
Our events are recorded and broadcasted live on Facebook and YouTube.
Singles as well as couples are welcome!
By popular demand, we decided to bring back one of our most anticipated events of all time. Last time we ran out of seats. So book your spot early!
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At least 80% of all relationships likely have a toxic element, where one or the other does not receive what he or she wants. There is no balance in the relationship, as partners do not know how to ultimately fulfill each other.
We absorb countless unrealistic examples and expectations from the media and Hollywood, and as a result, we get disappointed. After a while, we simply stop looking for that fulfilling relationship and turn to fulfillment elsewhere. But we have to ask ourselves, is it really possible to receive true fulfillment alone?
The way life is organized we see that fulfillment of almost every need comes from the outside. We need plants and animals for food, partners for procreation, communication, acknowledgment, and acceptance from others. And all of these needs can be met only through some form of connection with someone else.
We depend on others to be happy. Our disillusionment from relationships comes as a result of how we build life, and today we are finally understanding that we cannot get fulfillment from materialistic pleasures alone. Divorce rates are rising, and even in good relationships, it is rare for people to stay together for many decades.
We feel that something is missing because nature is pushing us toward a deeper and more soulful connection, where two people create something together that is above our regular, corporeal life—a higher connection.
Imagine two people connected not only through their bodies, not even through their kids, but to feel a new spiritual life flowing between them, where they feel as one. Kabbalists explain that reaching this state is an essential part of our evolution.
We'll talk about how to reach it in this session of the Open Diner. Join us on Zoom!
Please note that all Open Diner events start at 6:30 PM EST promptly. Our events are recorded and broadcasted live on Facebook and YouTube.
Singles as well as couples are welcome!
We want to celebrate our 100th event with lots of fun games, connection, light discussion, and, of course, our famous Open Diner chair dance!
Some of the highlights include:
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OpenDiner musical chairs
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storytelling activities
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Never Have I Ever...
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Imaginary Ball Throwing
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Laughing our butts off
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Sharing corny compliments
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Having a blast!
Bring your good energy, an open mind and heart, and let's have a blast together!
How to find inner (and outer) peace in this very turbulent time?
People are a combination and accumulation of a variety of unfelt forces that are both internal and external. If they combine in a positive way, they create a state of homeostasis, where they feel great, they feel a state of peace. And if we are in an incorrect combination of these forces, we feel that we are shrouded in darkness and our lives are bleak.
In order to balance these forces, people try various methods that swing us in different directions. For example, we go on vacation to take work out of the equation for a while. Or, we use drugs or alcohol to numb the pain inside. These methods don't provide a permanent balance, and soon we realize that the forces on the outside that are creating chaos in the world and the inner forces that create war inside us remain unchanged.
We also try to create peace by eliminating certain elements from our lives, such as certain people. And what we find is that often those same types of people somehow find their way into our lives again. They somehow find their way back into our experience in new forms.
All of development aims at finding peace and homeostasis. This is why most people spend their lives dreaming about their retirement. This is why plants shift to find their place in the sun and why animals migrate, why ecosystems shift in order to find balance , and why humanity has created different countries with different types of government and various treaties.
However, underneath it all we still haven't found a template to manage various relationships between different types of people. Behind these biological bodies we have various desires that are in conflict with each other, and we don't know how to manage them. This creates all the disharmony and inner and outer wars.
How do we break out of this vicious cycle? That's what we hope to discover together at this Open Diner. And we'll do it through live music, open discussion, and various fun activities.
The world is changing rapidly, and you have to know why. Moreover, you have to know what exactly is happening underneath all the hype of the media. And how it is that you can positively affect it!
To some this looks like a scary, chaotic turn of events, to others it seems like a big conspiracy, but to great thinkers and sages, this is the long-awaited awakening humanity must undergo. And that's what we want to focus on during this event.
So yes, the state of the world looks scary, and it is! At the same time, we can awaken and transform the darkness into light. You don't have to go through it alone. You are not alone. There is a higher purpose to everything that is happening. In this global transformation, you are at the center of events. Learn who you are, know your power, and through you and our shared, connected efforts, we can transform our world, together.
The Science of Thinking: How does the brain work? How do we learn? Why do we sometimes make stupid mistakes?
These questions lead us to question the power of thought: How powerful are our thoughts? Can we develop ourselves by using our thoughts? Is thought a powerful force? What can we achieve with our thoughts according to science? What is painting reality around us? Can we influence, harness our thoughts, desires?
Intuitively, a thought seems like the weakest force in nature, incomparable to other hidden forces that can change the velocity of an object, for example. Thoughts also seem weaker than physical actions. Still, as recent psychological and neuroscience studies show, thought can be far more influential than intuition would suggest. Thought could even change the structure of our brain, and that is only the start. The same neural pathways we engage by physically acting, we can similarly engage by simply imagining that action. The studies also suggest that to develop ourselves, thought is critical. But these studies do not suggest that we can actually influence physical reality through our thoughts in a critical way.
The wisdom of Kabbalah teaches that there is a level of development one can reach that goes beyond one’s skin, a state that can be reached by using the power of thought. In humanity, the organizing signals that pass from one to another are our thoughts and desires, which arise within us and which are outside our control. The outcome of these instinctively flowing thoughts and desires is the grim and worsening reality we see around us. This is the unconscious manifestation of the ego playing itself out.
However, we can consciously depict the desired state we want to reach, and then we can reach it by using the power of thought. First, of course, we would need to know about the destined state we are supposed to reach. We also have imaginal cells within us, which are capable of depicting this future state and driving the process toward it.
The social media platform Instagram made headlines last year for suppressing likes in an effort to curb the comparisons and hurt feelings associated with attaching popularity to sharing content. But do these efforts make us less depressed or anxious, or are they simply applying a band-aid to a wound?
Why are more people depressed than ever in history? Why is depression the leading cause of disability worldwide? Why do teens who spend more time on electronic devices have more suicide risk factors? And why has self-harm more than tripled among teenage girls in a 6-year period?
The media we take in every day can have a deep impact on our thinking, behavior, and emotions. Throughout the pandemic, more people than ever have fallen into the habit of paying constant attention to the news, at once stimulated and drained by endless stories about COVID-19, political happenings, and the challenges facing our country. While it may seem responsible to stay up to date, engaging in the ceaseless hamster wheel of information can take a toll on your physical, emotional, and mental health.
Although there are many factors today that contribute to depression, at this Open Diner we'll take a look at one of them: the media.
We had such a great discussion on this topic last time. We want to continue opening our hearts and talking about this important and painful topic. We'll have more time for various activities, a new video, and more!
Our goal is to raise awareness of the loneliness epidemic and empower each other to build stronger and deeper connections. The loneliness epidemic affects everyone. In particular, it creates significant barriers for the elderly, immigrants, LGBTQIA, people with trauma, etc. Additionally, due to the pandemic, many people are feeling an overwhelming sense of isolation from working remotely or from losing their traditional networks of support.
We live in an interconnected world where we can talk to people anywhere in the world instantaneously. We have social media that connects us with friends and family. Yet more and more people are finding that they are suffering increasingly from loneliness.
Loneliness really is the number one killer. It can lead to depression, cardiovascular disease, stroke, decreased memory and learning, alcoholism and drug abuse, altered brain function, a progression of Alzheimer's disease, and more!
It's time to stop the loneliness epidemic. It's time to be happy together. That's what the Open Diner is all about. Join us for a fun and interesting event and take the first step to overcoming loneliness.
Do you feel lonely? Well, you're not alone. Loneliness is an epidemic of the 21st century. As the world grows ever smaller and more connected, ironically, it also becomes increasingly lonely for many.
Additionally, this pandemic has limited our social interactions and increased loneliness and feelings of isolation.
Loneliness is not only emotionally painful, but can be more damaging to our physical and mental health than many psychiatric illnesses. Lonely people sleep poorly, are more likely to experience depression and anxiety, have reduced immune and cardiovascular functioning, and exhibit sings of early cognitive decline.
That is no way to live. Luckily, there's a cure. Let's find out exactly what it is.
Nowadays spirituality is such a broad concept with room for many perspectives. In general, it includes a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves, and it typically involves a search for meaning in life. Otherwise, the concept of "spirituality" is pretty blurry to most of us.
Does spirituality transcend the limits of our physical world, or can it be found in art, music, or physical objects? Can spirituality be felt, or is it merely an abstract concept? And who is God? Is He a man with a white beard sitting on a cloud and deciding which prayers are worthy of His attention? How can we start perceiving the spiritual world?
Kabbalists can answer these questions with absolute precision. Kabbalists are those who attained—came into contact with—the Creator, or God, and perceived all the so-called secrets of the universe. Kabbalah tells us that at the moment we feel a broken reality. And by developing a spiritual sense, we too can come in contact with the Creator, who actually wants to be discovered by every person on Earth. Moreover, it is precisely why we were born in this world to begin with.
At this session of the Open Diner, we turn to the ancient wisdom of Kabbalah for answers. Kabbalah is not a religion or mysticism. It is open to everyone of any faith, background, sex, age, etc.
This will be a funny and serious event on the timeless topic, What Is Love? It seems that as time goes on, we become more and more confused. When we think about love, we think about that warm feeling, confidence, and comfort of being cared for through different gestures and actions.
However, isn't true love measured by how we can withstand both the good and bad times in a relationship?
Yet, it seems that's becoming more and more impossible.
Why? We talk about it and try to reach an answer in the center of our connection.
With all the books on mood-boosting technology that does everything for us but laugh, we would expect happiness to show up at our doorstep like a pizza. But it doesn’t quite work that way. Maybe when we’re young, other people orchestrate our enjoyment of life. If we're lucky, our parents go out of their way to keep us entertained, and in college our friends make sure we’re OK. But after that, most of us are left to fend for ourselves. And obviously, we're failing because about half of us are depressed.
What this event will NOT be is a step-by-step happiness guide. How draining would that be? What we'll talk about is why we seem to have given up on happiness altogether. After two years in a pandemic, the coronavirus is no longer “novel” but often feels ancient and eternal. A difficult thought is planted in our heads, "What if the pandemic never ends?" We're no longer talking about what we’ll do “after coronavirus.”
Everyone seems confused and burned out. And it is not that there are too many problems. It' that there is no goal to strive for. Without goals, there are no aspirations, and without aspirations, there is seemingly nothing to live for. Maybe it's time to redefine what happiness is and how to reach it.
We'll talk about that on Thursday! Everyone is welcome. If nothing else, this is a chance to be happy for at least an hour.
At this Open Diner we turn to the ancient wisdom of Kabbalah for the answer to a very powerful and painful question, "if there is a God, why is there suffering?"
Kabbalah is a journey into understanding life and how all its pieces come together. It aims to give you genuine, scientific answers to all the questions you've ever had about life, and most importantly, what you can do about them. It aims to give you tools to upgrade the way you think about and perceive reality, essential knowledge about your nature and how to restore its purpose, and help you attain self-realization.
At this event, we'll crack open the door to this ancient wisdom, and we'll have a great, lively discussion on this deep topic. Despite the seriousness of the topic, we'll have lots of joy and connection, as we normally do at Open Diner. The purpose of this event is to develop meaningful connections as we come closer to understanding life's purpose.
Also, since this is the last Thursday of the month, we'll be accompanied by a great musician, who will PERFORM LIVE for us.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!!!
Why do bad things happen? Moreover, why do bad things happen to good people? Is it just bad luck?
As a meaning-seeking species, we are not satisfied with randomness. We tend to process events in terms of what they mean to us. Our brains have a natural proclivity for coherent stories—grand narratives with an overarching point and a satisfying end.
It simply makes no sense that bad things happen randomly without a cause or a reason, especially when on the grand scheme of things, everything in nature and the universe seems to operate with perfect precision and harmony. Therefore, things must happen for specific reasons, they must have a point.
At this Open Diner, we'll talk about why bad things happen.
A fun meal on zoom with great discussion, fun games, and more.
A possible consequence of living in the world today is a feeling of insignificance. The more populated, chaotic, and interconnected the world becomes, the more of its vastness you see, and the more powerless you might feel individually.
Most of us have heard the quote by Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Perhaps we've even been inspired by it. It’s a beautiful sentiment and one that reminds us how everyone has the power to make an impact. Yet in this day and age, when everyone seems to be in conflict with each other, it has become difficult to understand how to make an impact without harming in the process.
At the same time, when we hear about so many global issues on the news, it can be difficult to see the connection between them or to choose which issue to pursue first. One can also fail to see that just one person can make any difference at all. Luckily, social change doesn’t have to happen instantly or on your own. By working together with others to create a positive impact on the world one day at a time, your actions and intentions make a great difference.
That's what we'll talk about in this session of the Open Diner. Everyone is welcome!
Taking the first step is perhaps the most difficult thing to do in achieving a dream. However, as Lao-tzu told us, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
It's a new year. And many of us put great hope in leaving behind the troubles of 2021 and living a better life. How do we take the first step in making that a reality?
That's what this session of the Open Diner will be about. And as usual, we'll do it in joy, lifting each other's spirits and tapping into our collective intelligence. Expect a warm, accepting, and encouraging environment, a great connection, music, games, discussion, and more! Looking forward to seeing you all for the first time in the new year. Let's start it right. Let's start it together!
Join us on Zoom for a warm discussion, games, live music and more, as we connect around this exciting topic and share a meal together!
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Open Diner is a common virtual space where people like you and I, from all around the globe, can come together for a hosted meal with music, toasts, discussion, and more, while staying safely at home.
Let's be honest! We are social creatures, and we crave connection.
The number one killer is not Corona, but loneliness! And what better time than now to step back from our daily routine and reflect on life and our future together?
That's what this project is about. We feel that by sharing ideas around our virtual table, devoid of judgment or criticism, we can come to a vision of a brighter future. And by sharing joy and connection, we can come out of this pandemic quicker, into a new, better world!
So grab a plate, pour your drink of choice, and join us for a meal and a chat. We are all in this together!
It's a FREE event for everyone, and it will be streamed live on the Open Diner Facebook page!
This is a special event to ring in the New Year! 2021 was a challenging year, and many of us are excited to see it go. The New Year is a new beginning, a new happy opportunity to create change from within!
Let's welcome 2022 together in a loving, accepting, and connected environment. Let's play games, hear some awesome music, engage in a round discussion, as we eat and drink together virtually.
This is a very special event! We will have a special musical guest. We welcome everyone with open arms.
As we approach the holiday season, many are feeling lonely, not having that special person with whom to spend the holidays and share special times. And even those of us who are in relationships may be filled with doubts and confusion, realizing that the love we had in the beginning simply isn't there anymore. This leads us to the existential question, what is true love?
Many people think they know what love is, and are looking for the right person to lavish their love on. But it's no insult, and indeed it might even be helpful to imagine, that we don't have much of a clue what love really is, not because we are deficient, but because our culture never investigates the subject as it should. During this Open Diner we'll explore a very special relationship tip for achieving true love in a relationship.
When we think about love, we think about that warm feeling, confidence, and comfort of being cared for through different gestures and actions. However, true love is measured by how we can withstand both the good and bad times in a relationship.
Open Diner is a shared virtual space where people just like you and I can come together to talk about important subjects in a safe and supportive environment. For the next few weeks we will be discussing and learning more about love and relationships.
With all the natural disasters lately, nature is obviously trying to teach us something. Can we hear its message?
We are not just observers! We are very important parts of nature. The better you understand the laws and phenomena of nature and the universe, the more you are able to organize a better and more meaningful life for yourself and others. By learning to understand nature's laws and reactions, you can resemble nature, thereby putting an end to various calamities and disasters in your life.
You can live a life of balance, harmony, meaning, and better connection with others.
Join us on Thursday to find out more. It'll be a fun event with deep meaningful content in a fun and entertaining atmosphere.
Why did the chicken cross the road? Because the chicken behind it didn’t know how to socially distance properly.
This will be a really funny interactive social event, the purpose of which is to raise each other up in tough times. A healthy sense of humor can help us deal with everything better. Humor has physical, psychological, and social benefits. It improves our well-being and our connection with others. Sharing funny times with others can help us lift each other up from difficult states and actually help us better understand ourselves and each other.
Join us on Thursday! Bring your friends if you like. Let's have a great time together.
Research shows that random acts of kindness can dramatically improve your happiness. They can measurably increase oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters in the brain that make us feel satisfied, connected, and overall good, and reduce the stress hormone cortisol. Performing acts of kindness can have a profound impact on our mood and overall happiness. Acts of kindness can have positive effects not only on your emotional, but also your physical well-being. People who practice kindness live longer, healthier lives. An act of kindness can boost feelings of confidence, being in control, happiness and optimism.
Random acts of kindness mean intentionally giving to others in some way. Now it’s not just being a nice person, as you naturally are. It's about intentionally doing extra acts of kindness.
While opportunities to perform random acts of kindness might have been more abundant in normal times, during the pandemic, financial challenges and health precautions mean you might need to get more creative to be of genuine service to someone else.
However, never has it been so needed and timely as today. By making a pact to intentionally perform acts of kindness, we improve our own lives, the lives of others, and create a domino effect to improve the day of dozens of people! That's because the positive effects of kindness are experienced in the brain of everyone who witnesses the act, improving their mood and making them significantly more likely to “pay it forward.”
Hello new and improved world. We can create it together!
Research suggests that one of the aspects of the Thanksgiving season that can lift the spirits is actually built right into the holiday — expressing gratitude.
Gratitude is a way to appreciate what you have instead of always reaching for something new in the hopes that it will make you happier, or thinking that you can't feel satisfied until every physical and material need is met. And, although it may feel contrived at first, this mental state grows stronger with use and practice.
Let's come together to express gratitude and have an early Thanksgiving meal together. We'll be joined by a special musical guest, we'll have games, great discussion, and much more.
Join us on Zoom for a beautiful and heartwarming connection!
Are you feeling lonely? So many of us are nowadays.
The poet Jonne Donne said, "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main." It is true. In fact, we are connected by invisible strings in an integrated system of nature. All parts of nature are connected, including the human being. However, all other parts are aware of their connectedness and thereby work together in order to survive and maintain a state of homeostasis. Yet, human beings are acting more and more like islands, when really we are more like cells in a body.
Nothing is broken in our world except for the connection between us. It is precisely why all problems exist. The growing loneliness and depression we feel are meant to push us to find and achieve that state of homeostasis between us, which naturally exists in all other parts of the universe.
The hidden connection between all parts is meant to be revealed by each and every person on earth. Therein lies the answer to all our suffering. This is precisely what we want to begin to explore during this session of the Open Diner.
We all want to look great, but at what cost?
Studies prove that beauty standards nowadays directly contribute to anxiety and depression. They can trigger body dysmorphia and disordered eating. They can fuel low self-esteem, self-harm, and even suicide. This event will focus on a different take on how to be beautiful from the inside out while feeling great in the process.
So many people have been going nowhere fast, caught in the conditional rat race and not knowing where they're headed. As has been expressed many times, "even if you win the rat race, you are still a rat."
This pandemic has given us a chance to reflect on how we were living our lives before and what changes might be needed in order to continue in a wiser and more beneficial manner. It gave us an opportunity to weigh our priorities, redefine our goals, and focus on our common humanity rather than chasing our individual egoistic pursuits.
Now that everything has reopened and life seemingly resumed, we are being asked to return to the previous life. But many are refusing to go back to what was. The way forward must be paved together, and we must come together to figure out the right way. That's what this event is all about.
A day without intention is a day wasted. If we don't pause to think about what we truly want, we end up doing a lot of meaningless actions aimlessly. In this modern society that overvalues being busy, many of us are feeling exhausted and spinning our wheels in place. We're doing a whole lot with no payoff.
If we don't stop to ponder what we want to achieve, then our days -- our lives! -- just slip away.
To create an intention means to clarify what you want to achieve and direct your mental and emotional energy toward it. This act is deceptively simple but deeply powerful. And it makes all the difference.
In this session of the Open Diner, we'll talk about the power of intention. And as usual, we'll do it in joy, in a supportive and encouraging environment. We'll have live music, a great connection, games, discussion, and more!
Heartbreak is painful. In the hit song by the Bee Gees “How do you mend a broken heart,” they compare the process to stopping rain from falling or the sun from shining.”
Whether your heartbreak is caused by unrequited love or a failed relationship, there is that pain of shattered dreams and expectations. You might feel lonely or depressed. You might want to ignore your feelings or drown them. You might feel like life is over. However, if you're willing to do the work to move forward in a positive direction, the process of healing from a broken heart can be just a little simpler than the Bee Gees described.
When you go through a painful situation, often your brain wants to engage in familiar behavioral and thinking patterns that maintain the status quo. You may look for coping strategies that are readily accessible and which you have utilized in the past. Our neural pathways like this familiarity and run on these templates, which often are destructive. Resorting to your old and familiar ways does not always involve a happy outcome.
In this session of the Open Diner, we'll talk about how to reach a happy outcome from this unpleasant situation. Having a support system is very important. Reaching out to others who are able to be non-judgmental and supportive can be a lifesaver, while shame, silence, and loneliness are the true killers.
Whether you yourself are going through heartbreak, or you want to help someone else, join us for this session of the Open Diner. Become an active participant in bettering your life. Connect in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.
Let's move forward together, and soon you’ll see that your loss is actually a gain. You can do it, and a good environment can help.
A possible consequence of living in the world today is a feeling of insignificance. The more populated, chaotic, and interconnected the world becomes, the more of its vastness you see, and the more powerless you might feel individually.
Not only does this illusion create a false sense of self, but it often leads to depression and loneliness. As an individual, you are then left with the feeling that your own actions, feelings, and thoughts count for nothing. You feel that you are too small to change much of anything, and as life spins out of control before your very eyes, your very existence in it becomes meaningless.
We all have a basic human need to feel that we count, that our lives have purpose, that we are not just a temporary configuration of atoms. That purpose exists, and it's waiting to be found. We are here to tell you that YOU MATTER! You are very important. And you can make a big difference.
Warm and open discussion and many great activities.
Life is changing quickly. Not knowing what's ahead can be overwhelming, confusing, stressful, or just plain scary.
The COVID-19 pandemic, environmental concerns, social , political, and economic unrest have upended the established order. Many of us have had to adjust quickly as life threw us curveballs in our social lives, at home, work, and other areas of life. And just when you think you've gotten accustomed, it all changes again in a blink of an eye.
In these turbulent times, having the right perspective makes it easier to embrace and welcome change. Often your habits and thought patterns hold you back, and change pushes you to reach new beginnings, which otherwise would be out of your reach.
And most importantly, you don’t have to go through it alone. We are here for you!
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Most of us have heard this quote by Mahatma Gandhi and perhaps even been inspired by it. It’s a beautiful sentiment and one that reminds us how everyone has the power to make an impact. Yet in this day and age, when everyone seems to be in conflict with each other, it has become difficult to understand how to make an impact without harming in the process.
At the same time, when we hear about so many global issues on the news, it can be difficult to see the connection between them or to choose which issue to pursue first. One can also fail to see that just one person can make any difference at all. Luckily, social change doesn’t have to happen instantly or on your own. By working together with others to create a positive impact on the world one day at a time, your actions and intentions make a great difference.
Social distancing doesn’t have to mean isolation.
Open Diner is a common virtual space where people like you and I, from all around the globe, can come together for a hosted meal with music, toasts, discussion, and more, while staying safely at home.