When you cook, you bring together different ingredients, different flavours, different textures all to create one dish that is filling, healthy and a tasty blend of food for you to enjoy. Why can’t we apply this concept to other areas in our lives? Why aren’t more people willing to combine “ingredients,” learn how they work together and use different items and factors to create something fantastic for everyone to enjoy?
The world is such a culturally diverse place, and with technology, cell phones, internet, facebook, it is increasingly easier to connect with someone in another state, country, continent…even in our own neighborhoods we can find different cultures, faiths, ethnic background, lifestyles all living right next door. We are, as a society, sometimes hesitant to embrace differences or unfamiliarity. If we could think of these differences as ingredients in cooking, maybe we could learn how to work with them and combine them with our own to make something wonderful.
We ultimately desire union – togetherness…knowing where we belong helps us to know ourselves better. A baby seeks the nurturing of their parents. A lover seeks the arms of their significant other. A lonely person seeks the companionship of a friend. A spiritualist seeks answers and communication with the divine. The desire for union and to be brought together is an immeasurable force throughout our lives.
In our own lives, as we search for togetherness, for the ingredients that make us work, we must open our eyes and be prepared to find it in unexpected places. Sometimes ingredients that don’t seem like they would mesh become some of the most surprisingly delicious creations.
By being able to find connection outside of our comfort zones, out of our “boxes,” if you will, we can learn so much more about ourselves. If we can learn to listen and incorporate instead of assume and judge, we can find a lot of teaching in the beliefs, cultures and lives of others. Sometimes someone that is your direct opposite is your best mirror to get to know yourself.
Namaste,
~J
The world is such a culturally diverse place, and with technology, cell phones, internet, facebook, it is increasingly easier to connect with someone in another state, country, continent…even in our own neighborhoods we can find different cultures, faiths, ethnic background, lifestyles all living right next door. We are, as a society, sometimes hesitant to embrace differences or unfamiliarity. If we could think of these differences as ingredients in cooking, maybe we could learn how to work with them and combine them with our own to make something wonderful.
The five basic colors
can be made into countless combinations
to perplex the eyes.
The five basic tones
can be made into infinite compositions
to bewilder the ears.
The five basic flavors
can be made into numerous stimulations
to confuse the tongue
Tao Te Ching, 12
The Tao encourages us to blend, mix and combine all aspects to find total combinations that work. For me, these are the steps to becoming a well-rounded person. If we can take the time to learn about a culture different than our own, a religious system or faith different from the one we personally subscribe to, we become a fuller person.can be made into countless combinations
to perplex the eyes.
The five basic tones
can be made into infinite compositions
to bewilder the ears.
The five basic flavors
can be made into numerous stimulations
to confuse the tongue
Tao Te Ching, 12
We ultimately desire union – togetherness…knowing where we belong helps us to know ourselves better. A baby seeks the nurturing of their parents. A lover seeks the arms of their significant other. A lonely person seeks the companionship of a friend. A spiritualist seeks answers and communication with the divine. The desire for union and to be brought together is an immeasurable force throughout our lives.
In our own lives, as we search for togetherness, for the ingredients that make us work, we must open our eyes and be prepared to find it in unexpected places. Sometimes ingredients that don’t seem like they would mesh become some of the most surprisingly delicious creations.
By being able to find connection outside of our comfort zones, out of our “boxes,” if you will, we can learn so much more about ourselves. If we can learn to listen and incorporate instead of assume and judge, we can find a lot of teaching in the beliefs, cultures and lives of others. Sometimes someone that is your direct opposite is your best mirror to get to know yourself.
Namaste,
~J
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