Day 24: Keith Kalmanowicz
What do you do for a living?
I’m a chef. I create delicious yummy vegan food that is consciously aware and filled with love and I try to share it with as many people as I possibly can. I also host a “pay what you can” pop up dinner series so that everyone can enjoy my food regardless of anything.
What do you do to feel alive?
I try to just be conscious – to be in the moment – to be present. Most of my life is on autopilot. Breathing and being conscious makes it feel real.
A lesson you learned from your mother:
Forgiveness
A lesson you learned from your father:
Stay calm in every situation. It was the opposite with him. Watching him is how I learned what not to do. I remember I went 10 years without raising my voice and that is still a daily goal of mine.
What’s the most beautiful thing you saw today?
The community at the farm where I live coming together to clean up after last night’s pop up dinner. It’s amazing how much they all came together and volunteered to help – washing dishes and with all the little details.
What’s one thing you wouldn’t want anyone to take away from you?
I would say my drive; my passion
What’s a thought you would like to never have again?
When my sister Amy passed away we weren’t on the best terms – the thought that things weren’t good between us before she passed. It’s has helped me moving forward in all relationships to always leave on good terms because you never know what may happen.
If you could become an inanimate object what would it be?
A public park in a city where people can go and relax and enjoy nature and find that sense of oneness.
When do you feel most loved?
When I love myself. The more that I feel love internally the more I’m surrounded by love externally. My friend Ben gave me the mantra: “I love me”. I repeat it throughout the day.
If your life were to end tomorrow what would be left undone?
I haven’t fathered a child – I feel that is one of my main purposes. That is something I’ve always wanted to be – something I really want to be is a father. I think I would be an amazing father.
What global issue would you take on if you didn’t have to worry about how?
Hunger
What’s the scariest thing that ever happened to you?
A complete loss of consciousness to the point where a portion of my life went by that I wasn’t even aware of. It was like I was on autopilot again. It’s scary to lose that piece of my life and to not be in control of what’s happening.