Keep it Simple

Today I want to discuss something a little different. I was watching a program about Hollywood stars and how for all the money they earned, they ended up broke. It reminds me of the lottery winners that do the same thing too. I thought this was kind of sad but at the same time, spoke to how human these people are also. It seems that now that we have access to so many of todays modern devices and luxuries, it is easy to lose sight of what is important and truly valuable. We get caught up in the dramas of not only our little microcosm of life, but that of the world stage too, and the stresses of that along with our own expectations and those of others, makes life very complicated. I will tell you a secret that I learned long ago to calm those jangled nerves. Turn off the electronics so there is silence, and if it is winter, make a big pot of stew. Then enjoy that experience to its fullest. Make it as simply as possible, cut up vegetables you prefer and stew meat of your liking. Don't overthink it. Concentrate on your prep. Think about how you are cutting the vegetables up, are they slanted, or are they straight, even or uneven? Do you leave the ends on the celery or cut them off? Do you like big fat pieces of sliced onion or delicately thin sliced cuts? Then put them in the pot, and pay attention to the order you are putting them in. What spices if any will you add? Will it be at the beginning or the end? While it is cooking, pay attention to the aroma. What ingredients do you smell? Can you distinguish the onion, or the garlic? Can you imagine how good it will taste? When it is finished and you have filled your bowl and have a nice piece of crusty bread, or some other lovely addition, and a big glass of water or cup of hot tea, watch the steam rise from the stew and take note of how wonderful it looks and smells. How the colors look together. How thick the liquid is. And remember how much you enjoyed it, in the quiet of the hour, without distraction or worries in that fullness of time in doing this. Take note of how satisfying it feels in your stomach.

It is the simple things in life that add life. A simple bowl of homemade stew when the weather outside is cold is food for more than the body. It is food for the soul when care and thought is given to it and nothing else. Now it doesn't have to be stew. It can be a big bowl of homemade soup. Whatever is warm and comforting and not too complicated to make. Do what your dietary needs demand certainly. You see we could be thinking about how much we would like to have this and that, and worry over what we have and how to keep it, but there is no long term joy in it. It will not assuage the soul or calm the mind. Even the Hope diamond cannot do that. But a nice hot bowl of homemade stew or soup, now that we will think fondly of and remember, and know how a simple joy like that can soothe the ruffled feathers of life. Remember to keep it simple.