A friend of mine recently commented to me during a conversation that she hadn’t sent me information about something because she didn’t think I was philosophical enough. Now I have to admit, that kind of hurt my feelings…..at first. I thought indignantly, “I am TOO philosophical!” And then of course later began to wonder if I indeed AM philosophical, and what does that mean by the way?
Let’s see: philosophical = phil.o.soph.i.cal
* “of relating to the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence…” AND “having or showing a calm attitude towards disappointments or difficulties….” (Oxford American Dictionary)
Hmmmm… well. I guess I am generally not a philosophical conversationalist. Yet, I generally do have a calm attitude towards disappointments and difficulties. In the sense that my friend was talking about, she was right. I think. At least based in the conversations that I’ve had in her company. It feels a little funny to say and to think that I am not philosophical. But I’m not. I don’t think. Does it matter?
You’re probably wondering what soup has to do with all this. I just happen to be on a ’soup kick’ this winter. Soup is a fabulous MN winter health treatment. It’s warm and helps to heat up your insides (especially if you make it with spice like I do). Soup usually contains good-for-you vegetables, is usually healthy, low(er) in fat content and BEST of all; soup is an excellent excuse for eating good, hot crusty fresh bread!
This winter, I’ve been branching out into trying new soup recipes. From scratch, not out of the box! I didn’t realize until today, that I’ve been trying a new recipe every week in 2008 (and it’s not even a resolution!). I don’t plan on continuing this for the remainder of the year, but it’s been an interesting process. I get other people’s recipes, I’ve scoured the internet for new combinations, and I’ve combined a few different versions to make something that I think I’ll like better. This year, thus far it’s been: Red Lentil Garlic Soup, Cheesy Cauliflower Soup, Broccoli Cheese Soup, Cauliflower/Broccoli/Carrot Soup, Asparagus Soup, and today – Carrot Soup! One of the weeks (last in January) I also tried a new recipe: made-from-scratch-carrot cake (for my husband’s birthday)! I’ve cooked soups I’d never imagined I’d be interested in (ie: carrot soup and asparagus soup) and have enjoyed each and every one of them. And each of them calls for an onion.
The process of chopping and sautéing, stirring, grating, tasting, cooking, mashing, blending, seasoning and ending up with a yummy result is very satisfying. It also takes a lot more time than making something out of the box. The beauty of soup is that if I don’t like it, I can change it. I can add ingredients, substitute something that the recipe calls for that I don’t like very much (ie: mushrooms) and add something I really like. If I add too much of something (ie: garlic with the first soup) I have the choice of a) going with it, and seeing how it turns out, b) adding more of the other ingredients to create more of a balance, and c) creating a diversion (adding something new).
So, here is how this all turns into a “Philosophy Soup”
. SO WHAT?
. OUT OF THE BOX
. U!
. PEELING THE ONION
SO WHAT if someone doesn’t think you are (blank). Who cares? Does it really matter? What if they are right? Does it still matter? So what if you ‘never’ do this, or that or think this way or have tried that? Does that make it wrong, just because you don’t choose to do this or think this? What image (job, role, etc.) are you holding onto that doesn’t really fit you (anymore)? Why are you hanging onto it? What would happen if you let it go? If it really does matter to you (and you know why) what do you want to do to change that perception about you?
Begin to think OUT OF THE BOX! Especially out of YOUR box! It is way too easy for us to get into habits and patterns and ways of thinking that maybe have once served us very well….. and no longer do. It’s widely known that if you think ‘outside the box’ you will become a more creative thinker. You will see things from a different angle and become more flexible and more easily solve problems and tackle difficult issues. Maybe those problems and issues might even stay, but no longer become a problem for you? What box are you stuck in? What viewpoint have you not changed or considered changing for a long time? What would happen if you argued the opposite viewpoint? Stretch your boundaries. Think large. Get out of your box!
U are the most important person in this equation! It doesn’t matter how good you are at what you do, or how much you want to help others, or how smart you are if you are not honest with yourself. You have to begin with yourself in order to become what you want to be. So many of us like to skip this particular ingredient… of working on ourselves. You’ll notice that ALL of the ’soup’ ingredients are different parts of working on yourself. If you cannot be honest with yourself, you cannot be honest in business or with your clients. When you deny yourself, and don’t take time for self care it becomes evident in our home life and business. Where are U neglecting yourself? What are U avoiding in your life? What have U been denying yourself? What could U do for yourself that will ultimately improve your family life? Your business?
Imagine all the layers you go through when PEELING THE ONION. The analogy is often used in personal growth for obvious reasons. There are so many layers we each have to ourselves, our personalities, our habits, our intentions, our goals….. it is important to go beyond that outer ‘thick skin’ in order to get to the sweetness of the onion. As you go inward, the layers become smaller and more thin. The close to the center of yourself you get, the closer you get to the key of your existence. What layer/s have you looked at in your own onion peeling? Have you yet peeled back the protective surface layer? Have you gotten beyond the thick outer skin? What’s holding you back? What do you fear? What if the more you peel back the layers of your life you will reveal the ’sweet spot’ that you’ve been searching for in life?
So that’s it. That’s my (cheesy) soup philosophy. I wish you well and happy peeling!
Peace –
Sandi
