The Vietnamese lunch menu had endless options to satisfy one’s taste and eating preferences. From sandwiches to soups, noodles, and more, from vegan to fish and meats, there was something for everyone. I repeatedly explored and returned to the same vegetable noodle soup for reasons I could not understand. When the dish arrived, I knew it was precisely what I was craving. The warmth of the tofu-infused broth, silky noodles, and vegetable variety nourished, comforted, and soothed with each bite.
I knew I needed to each when it arrived. This dish would not be the same when it was cold. There was a moment when it peaked. Once finished, it would simply be a memory.
I look back at yesterday’s dish with fondness. Life’s whispers are reminding me that it is all in the past. Its time has come and is now gone. In the larger story, I can see a connection to my life. As important as it is, especially to me, there will be a time when it is a memory. A repeat of the old observation; “The smart and the stupid both disappear out of sight. In a day or two, they’re both forgotten. Yes, both the smart and the stupid die, and that’s it.” (Ecclesiastes 2:16)
Knowing this, my question of the morning is front and centre: What will I do with what I know?
Today, I will plant seeds for the future. Life is larger than me. I am part of a bigger story. As essential and priceless as I am, I understand and see community, family, and Divinity at the centre of it all. Knowing this, my calling is to support those who share the path with me. I know they will need what I plant today. Even if I am not here when the flowers and outcomes emerge, I am confident they will see and experience the results from the opportunity Divinity gifted me in the present.
Today, I will live and celebrate each moment. From quietness to cheers and stillness to action, I commit to responding and engaging.
