Day 36 - Food #DailyGratitude
Nov 5, 2025
A reflection on how food connects us, from shared meals and cultural memories to gratitude for the simple act of eating together.
Every weekday morning, Zak goes live on his community, Take Action Daily, to chat with members about the daily word of gratitude and the key question. Enjoy reading today's summary from the live call below.
This morning’s live call was one of those simple but powerful reminders of what connection truly looks like. Our word of gratitude was food, not just as fuel, but as something that brings people together.
One of our community members, Dave, shared how in the small Indonesian village where he’s currently volunteering, every meal is eaten communally, on raised platforms, with shared dishes, often by hand. It reminded him of childhood dinners at his grandad’s table, where eating together was non-negotiable and conversation was part of the meal.
That reflection sparked a wider conversation among the group about family and culture, the memories built around kitchen tables, the way favourite recipes travel with us, and how food connects us to places we’ve been. From Thailand to Mexico, Spain to the Philippines, these dishes carry stories and identity.
We also spoke about food and wellbeing, the challenge of eating well in the midst of busy lives, rising costs, and convenience culture. Yet, even with these challenges, we recognised how fortunate we are to have consistent access to food, and how gratitude can begin simply by being present with what’s in front of us.
Today’s question was:
Who can you share a meal with today?
That might mean sitting down with family, inviting a friend to lunch, or simply taking a moment to pause, to eat without distraction and give thanks.
Each reflection like this reminds me why Take Action Daily exists. These small, honest conversations bring us back to what matters most, connection, presence, and gratitude.
Have a great day!
Zak Sylvester
This morning’s live call was one of those simple but powerful reminders of what connection truly looks like. Our word of gratitude was food, not just as fuel, but as something that brings people together.
One of our community members, Dave, shared how in the small Indonesian village where he’s currently volunteering, every meal is eaten communally, on raised platforms, with shared dishes, often by hand. It reminded him of childhood dinners at his grandad’s table, where eating together was non-negotiable and conversation was part of the meal.
That reflection sparked a wider conversation among the group about family and culture, the memories built around kitchen tables, the way favourite recipes travel with us, and how food connects us to places we’ve been. From Thailand to Mexico, Spain to the Philippines, these dishes carry stories and identity.
We also spoke about food and wellbeing, the challenge of eating well in the midst of busy lives, rising costs, and convenience culture. Yet, even with these challenges, we recognised how fortunate we are to have consistent access to food, and how gratitude can begin simply by being present with what’s in front of us.
Today’s question was:
Who can you share a meal with today?
That might mean sitting down with family, inviting a friend to lunch, or simply taking a moment to pause, to eat without distraction and give thanks.
Each reflection like this reminds me why Take Action Daily exists. These small, honest conversations bring us back to what matters most, connection, presence, and gratitude.
Have a great day!
Zak Sylvester
This morning’s live call was one of those simple but powerful reminders of what connection truly looks like. Our word of gratitude was food, not just as fuel, but as something that brings people together.
One of our community members, Dave, shared how in the small Indonesian village where he’s currently volunteering, every meal is eaten communally, on raised platforms, with shared dishes, often by hand. It reminded him of childhood dinners at his grandad’s table, where eating together was non-negotiable and conversation was part of the meal.
That reflection sparked a wider conversation among the group about family and culture, the memories built around kitchen tables, the way favourite recipes travel with us, and how food connects us to places we’ve been. From Thailand to Mexico, Spain to the Philippines, these dishes carry stories and identity.
We also spoke about food and wellbeing, the challenge of eating well in the midst of busy lives, rising costs, and convenience culture. Yet, even with these challenges, we recognised how fortunate we are to have consistent access to food, and how gratitude can begin simply by being present with what’s in front of us.
Today’s question was:
Who can you share a meal with today?
That might mean sitting down with family, inviting a friend to lunch, or simply taking a moment to pause, to eat without distraction and give thanks.
Each reflection like this reminds me why Take Action Daily exists. These small, honest conversations bring us back to what matters most, connection, presence, and gratitude.
Have a great day!
Zak Sylvester
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Create real impact through stories that inspire change
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