Up Against a Brick Wall?

A monk was assigned to build a brick wall for his monastery. Not having laid bricks before, he worked hard to learn how to lay the rows evenly. It took him a long, long time, but finally his work was done. He stepped back to survey it, and was mortified to see two bricks out of line near the bottom of the wall. At this point there was no fixing the crooked bricks; it was time for him to move on to his next project in the monastery. He felt ashamed, but there was nothing he could do.

Several months later, the monk was guiding a visitor through the monastery grounds. The visitor passed the new wall and commented how nice it looked. The monk, feeling mortified again, asked the visitor how he could say such a thing – didn’t he see the two bad bricks which spoiled the wall? “Yes”, the visitor replied, “I can see those two bricks. But I can see the 998 good bricks as well!”*

We’re in the dog days of summer. How many of us are halfway through the year and disappointed in ourselves for not making progress on our New Year’s resolutions? How many of us are chastising ourselves for carrying extra weight or not exercising as much as we could have? How many are frustrated because our to-do list is growing rather than getting shorter?

When we look at ourselves, it’s easy to see what’s negative and to focus on that to the exclusion of everything else. The trouble is that a narrow focus on the negative with accompanying self-criticism can bring us to a state of paralysis with respect to our goals. It’s never too late to achieve what you want to achieve, and you can make it easier on yourself by taking the following into account:
· Treat yourself with the compassion you’d extend to your best friend. If your friend was having trouble sticking to an exercise regimen, would you criticize her? More likely you’d listen, help evaluate why the results hadn’t yet been achieved, brainstorm possible solutions and cheer your friend on. Be your own best friend.
· Don’t do anything because you think you “should”. Act from conviction about what makes sense for you, keeping in mind that you are unique. What’s important for you to do and how you get there may or may not look like what others are doing…and that’s cool!
· Set up support. Find others you can turn to for ideas, feedback and encouragement. So many things in life are easier when shared.
· Reward yourself! Daily, acknowledge what went RIGHT today and allow yourself to feel satisfaction about it. Set up milestones along your path towards your goals, and celebrate each time you reach one.

Keep your eye on the big picture, and allow that there will be missteps along the way – we’re all human, after all! If it’s health issues you’re working on, let me know how I can support you in achieving your goals. You can count on me to listen and help you formulate solutions as unique as you are. I’ll be there to support you, reminding you of the 998 good bricks in your wall. And I’ll cheer as loud as you do when your goals are achieved!

*from the writings of Ajahn Brahm

What's the Story?

At my doctor’s office this morning, I found this delectable quote from chef Dan Barber in the August ’09 Martha Stewart Living magazine:

It’s what unfolds every morning at the farmers’ market – not just food grown in the right way and picked at the perfect time, but food with a story. Even in our most auspicious moments in the kitchen, that’s better than any seasoning you or I could provide.

Storytelling is one of humanity’s earliest art forms, one that still resonates with most of us today. Most children I know love having stories read or told to them. Stories underlie many of our holidays: what would Christmas or Passover be without the retelling of the ancient stories that gave rise to the celebrations? And aren’t the most interesting people we meet people whose life is a richly-textured story?

The idea of food with a story is very appealing. The vibrant colors, textures and aromas of farmers’ market wares speak volumes about the generosity of the land, the challenge of growth in unpredictable weather conditions and the care of the farmers and food artisans. As Barber points out, there’s no comparison between open market food and the tired variety found in supermarkets, often processed beyond recognition, taste dissipated over miles of transport…food with its story silenced.

See you at the farmers’ market.