It is so interesting that as we live life we take our life details as the norm. It is the way everybody does it. I've mentioned before that I grew up in a 'war zone.' Safety was staying invisible and not being noticed or standing out. Thus I believed that is how all families did life. Imagine my surprise when I started dating in high school and spending time with other families. They did things differently! This absolutely blew my mind. It meant there were other ways of doing things. But it also pointed out to me where I had placed boundaries based on what I thought was the 'right' way to do things.
I bring this up because it showed up mostly in the arena of food. I dated a girl in high school whose family was originally from Poland. They owned a bar in Montana thus at night they were never home so that's when I would visit. They took me to their cabin one summer and during one of the meals we had a baked potato. I scooped out all the potato when her father reminded me that the potato skin was rich in nutrients and the best part of the potato. He could not believe I was wasting all that potato. So I tried the potato skin with great apprehension. From that day, I have eaten the whole potato when I have a baked potato. I give thanks they taught me that lesson.
My wife provided me another example. She moved to New Hampshire and during her first year her in-laws took her to the only state beach. They brought white wine and started to prepare lunch. They laid out a bun, put cheese on the bun, and then opened a thermos. They then poured out hot meatball with a rich meat sauce. She said it opened an entirely new world for her. She could never go back to 'plain' sandwiches.
When I was in junior colllege, I dated way-out-of-my-league. My girlfriend's family was the richest in the valley and owned a big mansion with an indoor pool. They had been featured in Sunset magazine. We would wash her car on the weekends in the driveway and watch all the people driving by to see what the rich people were doing. We were young, filled with health, and without a care in the world.
One Saturday afternoon she asked if I wanted a tuna fish sandwich. We went in and she started the preparation. Now in my family a tuna fish sandwich was bread, mayo,, and tuna fish. Easy, simple, and blue collar. I waatched as she put the tuna in a bowl and added just enough mayo to make it slightly creamy. Then shed added mustard, sweet pickle juice, sweet pickle relish, sweet pickles diced and a few pieces of celery. She then toasted the bread and made the sandwich. After two bites, my entire life had changed. What was a bland and simple sandwich before had suddenly become a work of art and I had no clue it was possible.
I think that is the truth of life and it is the reason we must have the 'yes' mentality. The world is filled with endless possibilities and we are only living one small portion of it. I challenge yoou to push your edges and go beyond. As it has been said, the purpose of a boat is not to stay in the harbor but to go out into the unknown sea. Expand your horizons! Take your next step! Be brave and be bold and live every inch of life that has been given to you. Don't miss out on anything! For the grand adventure will continue and it is much sweeter if you are a willing and enthusiastic participant!
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