We hosted a wonderful gathering last weekend and here's the ever-so-eloquent write-up of Katy Turse:

I’ve gotten used to the jokes, the comments, and the all too “knowing” smiles. I accept it. Fine, you got me funny guy, I’m from New Jersey. I get it. When someone finds out that you are from the Garden State, the last thing he or she thinks of is gardens. Known most commonly for the NJ Turnpike, the Sopranos, bad accents, high property taxes, and oil refineries, this fine state gets a lot of flack. A lot. But, as we learn through experience, it’s all a matter of perspective really. Being a person who tries to look at things in as many ways as possible, I once again surprised myself by limiting my perspective by retreating back to the status quo’s perspective of my home state. When told that a “Smile” event was to take place in Princeton, New Jersey I immediately thought, “Oh boy, a Smile event in NJ….what the heck were they thinking?!” 

It all started with a simple e-mail: “What are you doing the 12 or 13th?” Beings that it came from a good friend and fellow CharityFocus-er who I hadn’t seen in many years, I checked my schedule and shot back a simple reply, “I am free.” Later came the usual introductions to other CF’ers and a very bare explanation to what would possibly take place on either of the said dates. A lunch and meditation-cool-why not? The date was set, and on Saturday, September 12th a bunch of us were to meet at Ashish and Manal’s place in Princeton. There was mention of Random Acts of Kindness, a group sit, and dinner, but that’s all I really knew. That was enough.  

Like any event planned by a CharityFocus volunteer, the minute I entered the meeting place of the Mehta residence, everything fell into place. Without knowing much, it suddenly made perfect sense. Did anything have to be explained, charted, calculated or interpreted? No way. These things just happen. Warm hugs were shared with reuniting friends as well as new friends uniting. People had traveled near and far to attend. Birju had come down from New York and was fully prepared for the day. Shayna, a neighboring NY resident living in Harlem, was present with a glowing ever-present smile. Kanchan, an integral part of the Smile team, had added this stop on her travel plans and seemed to be in just the right place. Ashish and Manal, along with their beautiful daughter’s Anha and Kehna, had opened their doors to our group with open arms and were there creating a space of love and welcome. Ashish’s father, Kishore, sat serenely watching the group come alive, emanating a quiet peace that often only our elders can embrace. I had made the surprisingly short drive from Ocean County and was basking in the excitement. We split into two cars and headed to the train station to meet Parth, another fine, enthusiastic, NJ native.

After jockeying around for two parking spots in downtown Princeton and phone calls back and forth, Ashish reported that some kind of fair or festival was taking place down the street where we had originally planned to set up camp. The group decided to meet in that area, later identified as Palmer Square. In amazement, we found ourselves amidst the wonderful event that was well under way. We had stumbled upon JazzFeast and the sound of horns, strings, and percussion filled the air mingling with the smell of fresh simmering paella, home made potato chips, palak paneer, and crab cakes. Birju immediately set to work explaining the concept of the event and making helpful suggestions on how to carry out or mission. We were there to practice our own random acts of kindness by sharing delicious cookies, granola bars, and Hershey kisses. Along with these tasty morsels we were handing out Smile cards and explaining the concept to any interested ear. People were encouraged to take post it cards from the kindness board that offered ideas on how they could pay it forward and allowed them to add their own suggestions. They were also invited to take quotes that inspired them. 

As soon as we began to set up the “kindness poster” at a table that had been set up at the fair for dining, the wheels were set in motion. Two sets of couples in their 60’s immediately engaged us in excited conversation about the Smile event. They “ooh’ed” and “ahh’ed” while reading each pay-it-forward suggestion and inspirational quote that we stuck on the board. We had already made friends and begun to inspire! They must have stayed by our side for the next hour and a half never stopping their endless positive praise about our intentions and their own ignited craving to become part of this mission of spreading kindness.  

In short, the day was magnificent. Shayna swayed gracefully to the tinkling jazz, holding the Smile sign with her own gorgeous beam at the front of our entourage, acting as the welcoming sentinel. Kanchan and I stood by with our own lips spread ear to ear offering smile cards and an explanation to what we were up to and encouraging them to take part by sampling the free sweet morsels and then pay-it-forward in their own way. I randomly chose inspirational quotes for those interested to stick on their shirts as a pleasant reminder to themselves and others. Parth strode confidently in and out of the crowd as if amongst only the closest of friends and seemed to attract the attention of any eye he met with his genuine smile and sincere explanation about our mission in his own words. Birju multi-tasked by manning the table and answering questions along with handing out more smile cards. At one point, I looked back and he was engaged in what looked to be a very exciting conversation on his cell phone that had him pacing happily, making hand gestures to express his enthusiasm. Ashish, in his quiet and peaceful manner, engaged people who seemed to sneak past the rest of us in either lack of interest or fear, but found ease in speaking to such an invitingly warm individual. When Manal was able to take some time away from her youngest, she stood by the table to greet new-found friends in her own characteristic warmth and beam at her oldest Anha while she shared the sign holding responsibility with Shayna-adding her own twist to the position of chief welcomer with happy bounces and arms raised high and proud. 

So much happened that it would be impossible to recount everything. The internal “happenings” were unique to everyone and must be described by each and every individual, and even then, is the rigidity of language enough to express emotions and thoughts that often seem inexpressible? Some external situations are more easily relayed. 

When talking to a kind eyed family of mother, father, and high school aged-son, I was reminded that no one that you meet in life is ever a “stranger.” They welcomed my smile card and offer of sweets and mom, Roberta, immediately stated, “Wow, I love this idea. You know, I was reading an article in this magazine called “Science of the Mind” about a young man who dropped it all and went on his own pilgrimage of peace and service. It was so inspiring, I couldn’t believe it.” While she penetrated my eyes with emotion, I moved in closer and asked, “Was his name Nipun Mehta?” She replied in shock, “Why, do you know him?!” I smiled in return, “Very well.” Of course this only opened the floodgates and the next thing you know, Roberta was speaking a mile a minute and her husband and son had joined in and we were sharing the camaraderie of people destined to meet. 

After receiving a Smile card, a young woman in her 30’s immediately offered a stack of business cards that offered a 50% discount at her hair salon in Princeton and asked for them to be handed out to people as her own pay-it-forward. She had been instantly inspired and responded so naturally!

During discussion after meditation, we learned of the conversation Birju had had on the cell phone during the event. He recounted a friendship with Chintan, someone that he had done his first Smile event with many years ago. He and Chintan had lost touch and had not spoken in about a year. While fully engaged in the Smile event that day, the phone rang and low and behold Chintan was calling out of the blue after so many years in order to invite him to his son’s first birthday party taking place. Birju explained where he was and what he was doing and Chintan replied confidently, “That’s where you are supposed to be.” 

We left the JazzFeast wearing our own smiles and regrouped back at the Mehta household. It was then that we learned that two more friends had traveled a long way to join us! Krishna and Sujatha had driven from Washington, D.C. for this gathering on their way to New York. Krishna was the connection to CharityFocus that gave birth to the creation of Karma Kitchen in Washington, D.C. and was pleased to tell us of their success and their first Wednesday night meditation that had launched just the week before! 

After an hour of meditation, a quiet peace transcended over our group and we engaged in discussion about the day. Many “A-ha” moments were shared as well as insight about life, people, and the connectedness of everyone and everything in this world, in this very existence. Ashish’s father captured us all with his poignant stories of faith and truth and asked us his own thought provoking questions about our beliefs with an attentive ear. Everyone agreed that we all felt a sense of purpose throughout the day and had not only connected with people met at the event, but also with one another and even ourselves. We recognized how much this reminded us of our purpose in life, and inspired us in our own personal journeys of finding truth, love, happiness, and peace. We ended the discussion by giving thanks to one another and recognizing that everything happens for a reason and that we were all meant to be there with one another on that special day. 

See, I reminded myself, there is good everyone, even in New Jersey. Sometimes it just needs to be coaxed out by a little bit of kindness …