I love taking great food elements and using them to create new dishes bursting with flavours, textures, and taste. While traditions are important, enjoying food is constantly evolving and changing. There is something magical that follows openly embracing the possible.
As I enjoyed amazing twists in how one could use eggplant with different spices, ways of cooking, and presentation, I found myself thinking of life’s elements. Whispers reminded me of the universal impact that always follows kindness, care, and compassion. There are no bad outcomes when these are involved! When one combines this with presence, empathy, and acceptance, life is taken to a new level. As I reflect and imagine opportunities with interplay, I see Michelin stars dancing in my mind. A life with these elements is a living definition of hope, joy, and wonder.
Labels do not define a dish; a dish is defined by the elements and outcome. Just as great elements establish a foundation of possibilities, a life filled with love, integrity, and engagement is divine. “How can we sum this up? All those people who didn’t seem interested in what God was doing actually embraced what God was doing as he [infused and] straightened out their lives.” (Romans 9.30). It was never about the labels. It was always about the elements that one holds closest to one’s heart.
Great elements do not guarantee success. The chef, you and me, and the freedoms of life’s kitchen are essential to the experience one has in what follows. The why (intent) and how (day-to-day living) of our lives is the way we construct the dish we present to others along the way. It is a crazy, amazing, and no-rules opportunity to create new experiences for others as well as our hearts and souls.
Life’s kitchen is open to everyone. You and I have unique opportunities to be creative. The required resources, and key elements, are within us. The equipment we need is within our grasp. May today’s divine cooking be fit for queens and kings in our communities, each dish a gift worthy of Divinity.
