Do you watch cooking shows?
James and I love them.
Especially when celebrity chefs lead amateur cooks through a fast-paced, nail-biting pressure test with a military sense of command.
This isn't for the faint of heart.
Imagine five contestants trying to shell scorching hot eggs as the clock counts down—each one pushing themselves through the pain so they can extract the soft jewel and place it on top of a tower of blackened leeks before the buzzer sounds.
The masterchef shows them no pity.
"Fingers are made for burning!" he yells.
And the contestants do burn their fingers, pushing themselves towards glory.
(I mean, if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen, am I right?)
Except . . . fingers aren't made for burning.
Fingers are made for touching and feeling. They're made for caressing and soothing and holding and creating beautiful things.
Don't get me wrong. I LOVE seeing people challenge themselves to go beyond what they believe is possible.
But I think we're at the point in our evolution where excellence can be achieved without the unhealthy (abusive) techniques from the past that were onced used to attain it.
If you're reluctant to get on board, I understand. There's wisdom in the old adage, "No pain. No gain."
If we can't tolerate discomfort, we won't be able to face (or do) the difficult things that help us grow.
But have you noticed that in the hands of the ego, this truth gets corrupted and turned against the body and soul?
Rest is lazy.
Play is frivolous.
Fatigue is weakness.
No wonder so many of us are punishing ourselves to get results.
You're not a machine, love! You're a creative being with deeper needs.
And I wonder what would happen if you allowed yourself to suffer less and ENJOY MORE?
I'm serious. In fact, this is my challenge to you this week.
Ease up.
Slow down.
Take a breath.
Lighten your load.
Cuddle with someone.
Relax the muscles in your shoulders.
Cross 3 things off your to-do list.
Turn off the newsfeed.
Look out the window.
Have a laugh.
You don't need to harm yourself to accomplish great things!
You don’t need to give 100% (or even 90%).
You don't need to burn yourself out.
You don't need to dominate the competition.
You don't need to break your back to stand in the winner's circle.
You're ALREADY a winner. You've won the great lottery of life! And no matter what the news is showing you right now, life is STILL spectacular.
So please enjoy it as much as you can. Misery and suffering helps no one.
Have some fun, dearest.
Be kind to yourself.
And while you're at it, be kind to your fingers.
Sending you so much love,
