BECOMING AWARE OF MEANINGFUL COINCIDENCES
Being involved in things that make life better, being a grandma, making my bed, getting at least 5000 steps on my Fitbit, making healthy diet choices, living in harmony with nature and continuing to learn fills my days. When I awaken and I have thoughts and ideas, I work to follow my instincts.
Today, I decided to google a podcast on “synchronicity” and found Phillip Merry PhD who wrote 9 KEYS OF SYNCHRONICITY - They’re Hiding All Around Us. The first 3 first keys, “Notice something different that is happening to one’s day. Become aware. Then act on it.”
Merry's 4th key is to celebrate and the following is a fun example in my life:
On one of my trips to Japan in 1991, I was staying in Chiba, not far from where I landed at Japan’s Narita Airport. A few days later, I had a business appointment in Roppongi, one of the eastern districts of Tokyo. My host asked me to wait in his office while he ran to a 30-minute-errand and then he would take me to lunch.
I felt I was not far from Den-en-Chofu and decided to call Mrs. Nihei while I waited. I had gotten to know the Nihei family here when they lived on Mercer Island for a few years as business reps for a Japanese company. Mrs Nihei was not home, but her son Tats answered the phone saying, “Mrs Goto! How wonderful to talk with you. I actually live in Kobe, but I dropped by the house because I made the trip today to make some wedding plans. I would love to get together, but I have to go back to Kobe.”
I responded, “Tats, I’m planning to go stay with my cousin in Kobe next week. Let’s plan to get together there.” Then, I gave Tats my cousin’s name, Harumi Sumitomo and address.
Tats screamed back in response, “HARUMI! Mrs. Goto, I am a representative of the Sumitomo Bank in Kobe and just last week, I went to their home on business and met them for the first time!!”
Following Merry’s second set of suggests I’m putting my awareness into being a servant citizen. Therefore, I’m using my blog to keep me thinking, set intentions and integrating my heart/brain.
I asked my 13-yr-old to watercolor a visual that I can include with my thoughts of living with hope and possibility. I have my next blog planned with Merry’s 9th Key of “Connecting With Source”.
![BETWEEN 6TH AND MAYNARD ...]()
BETWEEN 6TH AND MAYNARD ON MAIN STREET
IN SEATTLE'S INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT
Spring of 2022, Nana and I started meeting at the Panama Hotel Tea and Coffee on Tuesdays to discuss Seattle Japanese Immigrant stories and writing. The place was always humming with a variety of activity with Seattle City Tours, school field trips and those who come to see the real HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET by Jamie Ford. Of particular interest are features such as the belongings stored downstairs because of the WWII incarceration of those of us with Japanese Heritage. In general the rooms are filled with pictures, artifacts, vintage decor and documentation of the Japanese Experience in America!
It’s of significance to me because my father-in-law, Nisaburo Goto, once considered the Hashidate Japanese Bath in the Panama basement and the NP Hotel next door “Home”. There is a picture of him working as a bar tender at the Jackson Cafe hanging on the wall.
One Tuesday, Jan, the owner sat down with us to visit, and it flashed in my mind, “Why don’t we start a session of Stories at the Panama.” Jan got excited and commented, “Sunday is our slow day for the Tea and Coffee business.” It occurred to me, Sunday was also a day we could park free on the streets. We decided the first Sunday of each month between the hours of 11am to 1pm would be a good commitment. My granddaughter drew and made the flyers. Jan posted a sign on the entry door.
May 1st, 2022, was our first session and we had a dozen individuals join us to chat. One couple was from Australia, others were from North Carolina, Japan, New York and all over. The visitors did come from all corners of the world and it was fun to ask questions like, “Where did you grow up? Why and when did you come to Seattle? What is the story of your heritage?”
Sunday, November 6th was our seventh monthly session with another dozen of us or more. Cassidy was from England via Portland and was staying at the Panama Hotel to see a couple of the comedians in Bell Town. She had a Japanese boy friend inspiring her to learn more about Japan and Japanese.
Reed, a world traveler - having grown up in California - was with us with his girl friend, Emily, from Taiwan. She is at the U of W and enrolled in their Entrepreneurial Program. It was fun to hear her explain her life path and how her parents fell in love in Okinawa.
Jim and Karen met taking Japanese class at the U of W. Subsequently, they learned both their fathers were part of Boeing’s Space Program. Karen saw the Stories at the Panama sign on the front door and they also came to check out Jim’s, Mukai grandmother’s Koto - musical instrument, that is displayed in the entry window showcase. Karen also shared some about her family heritage from the coal mines of Pennsylvania.
Eric told us about his first job as an engineer at Boeing and his experience in selling the first Boeing 737s to Japan’s Nippon Airlines. He explained that it helped to have Japanese heritage, but having grown up in Kona, HI, he had to learn the Japanese way of doing business. He commented, “Most of the decision making was ‘getting to know each other like family’ and after business hours endeavors.”
The Panama Hotel Tea and Coffee is a gathering place and international crossroads of visitors of every age. Current business owners as well as former residents, of what was once considered Japan Town, come for coffee and lunch breaks. Several of us choose the location for business meetings.
Those of us interested in history, psychology and philosophy are finding it a lot of fun to share our own heritage and life stories as well as hearing from all walks of life. Stories can change how we think, change behaviors and add fulfillment for well being. Nothing like talking, asking questions, sharing and being inspired!
![KAORI WATERCOLOR]()
KAORI WATERCOLOR
![How much does a PIRATE pay...]()
How much does a PIRATE pay for corn?
A Buckeneer!
This morning started with a drive up 148th to my eye appointment with Dr. Coday near Crossroads. Last Saturday was the burial service for Henry Goto and this drive amplified the fact that I could no longer stop by to chat as I passed 6th Avenue. Kaori's watercolor reflects the sentiment R.I.P.!
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