When did we learn to settle for the bland, rather than savor the tangy?
When we opened our first restaurant on Anguilla, we observed a strange phenomenon among the parents of young children. When ready to order, many would inform us that their children have specific food requirements. “A plain bowl of pasta,” they’d say, “with a little butter and cheese on the side. Unless you have chicken fingers and French fries. That would be even better.”
We couldn’t help wonder when this bland, monotonous menu became standard fare for the under-twelve set, and what it’s teaching them about the pleasures of life. We know from experience that children can savor the tangy flavor of lemon and the sweet smell of rosemary as much as we do. Why assume that kids can’t accept these exciting flavors? Why not encourage them to sample something new and even unexpected?
This led us to think about the bland and unchallenging life menu that we adults so often settle for. We’ve learned that living what you love means choosing the unusual over the usual. It means acknowledging your dreams, making decisions, and taking action. It means valuing your life more than merely paying the bills, meeting everyone’s expectations and buying time. If you truly live what you love, you are rebelling against common life.
Think about this: The life you love moves you. It comes with action and commitment. What do you need to do to bring more passion into your life?
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3 Comments
I am relearning this lesson myself. Every day, I’m trying to do something new, and I find that the more I do this, the more excited I get. I’m now looking forward to doing new and different things and have started compiling a list of everything I want to do.
One thing I do know is that I’ve never wanted to be “normal”; I’ve never wanted the type of life everyone else has. I’m not quite ready to make the full leap - I’m still taking time to learn a bit more of what I’ll be doing. But I’m finding myself actively talking to others about my new ventures, and the more I talk about, the more real it becomes.
Keep posting - I’ll keep reading!
Bob and Mel,
The websight looks fantastic!
I just wanted to update you. I wrote you about 2 years ago. I was preparing to quit my job and go back to esthetics school. Well, as things often happen, plans fell through, emergencies happen, and not everything moves like you see it. But things happen differently sometimes. Instead of staying in Montana and going to school, I ended up moving to Colorado to go to school a year later than planned. In the last nine months, I got to take care of my elderly grandmother which is something I will be grateful for in years to come; I also was here when my father had a massive heart attack and passed away - had I not been here for school, I would not have got the opportunity to say my goodbyes nor be here to close out his estate; I would have missed out on many educational opportunities that didn’t exist in Montana; and my daughter and I would have missed all of the great people we got to know here. It wasn’t what I expected, nor was it what I would have asked to go through, but I am grateful for every thing that has happened. In addition, my plan was to go back to Montana and work for a doctor in a medical spa. Once again, the best laid plans don’t always happen. Instead I am going to open my own skin care studio and work for myself. In the last year, I have reconnected with my heart telling me to be available to my daughter for the years I have her home, my head telling me that I really don’t want to work for someone else who calls the shots about what I do and when I do it, and my mind which has been craving the challenge of starting something from scratch and doing it the way I want to. On Saturday, I am moving home… to an old house that needs remodeling and a new business that needs to be build from the ground up. I have very definate ideas about ow I want each to evolve - but in the end I know that may all change. And I am looking forward to all of the unexpected challenges and joys that await me with an open mind… and an open heart.
Thanks for the inspiration. I’ve thought about you often when my own ‘winds of change” have blown through. Usually I eat a mango and think…”WWtBD?” (What Would the Blanchards Do?)
And if you make bracelets saying that I want royalties in the way of dinner. ha ha
Thank YOU for the inspiration, Liz! Your story reminds us that no matter who you are, where you live or what you do, we all share so many similar life experiences. Where people tend to differ is how they respond to those experiences. Your words say it best: “I am looking forward to all of the unexpected challenges and joys that await me with an open mind… and an open heart.” That is the essence of what it means to Live What You Love.
Thanks for sharing your story. It will undoubtedly inspire other readers to approach life wih the same enthusiasm. And please keep us posted on your new adventure!