PLANT GOOD SEEDS
All things, both good and bad, are born from a seed, a germ of an idea, one unique thought. How these seeds are
cared for essentially determines their outcome.
My goal for this particular blog is to plant good seeds of thought. Ideas that encourage laughter, offer a moment of introspection or just help break the chain of monotony we experience in our every day.
I chose "Harvest Happiness" as the title for this blog because, truthfully, I'm trying to create a better path for myself, my family, my friends and the greater "tribe" of people I hope to eventually meet. The Great Oak begins with a single acorn - I am hopeful that my blog, a small seed of hope, will grow with happy readers.
Happy Beginnings!
Jenn
cared for essentially determines their outcome.
My goal for this particular blog is to plant good seeds of thought. Ideas that encourage laughter, offer a moment of introspection or just help break the chain of monotony we experience in our every day.
I chose "Harvest Happiness" as the title for this blog because, truthfully, I'm trying to create a better path for myself, my family, my friends and the greater "tribe" of people I hope to eventually meet. The Great Oak begins with a single acorn - I am hopeful that my blog, a small seed of hope, will grow with happy readers.
Happy Beginnings!
Jenn
THREE ESSENTIAL SEEDS OF HAPPINESS
Finding Peace Everywhere Unexpected Discoveries Curiosity
There are, of course, many other ingredients that make up "HAPPY", but I think these three highlight the importance of KEEPING AN OPEN MIND. Nothing kills growth more than a closed mind and mundane sameness. For example, and i promise i will not use plant metaphors all the time, if you plant daisies in your garden because you like daisies and know they grow in your garden, and you never plant anything else for fear it might not grow, you are losing out on the spender of color you could have if only you try to grow something different.
The mind is no different. If you get stuck on ordering the same meals when you go out to eat, you are missing out on a whole range of flavors. You might go so far to say, food is boring. Meanwhile your palate is screaming for a new taste.
Here is a personal story to illustrate what I mean. I call it "THE GRANNY SMITH PRINCIPLE" (a 2.75 minute read)
One Fall day, i went to the grocery store with my usual list of "must haves" - Jif peanut butter, 2% milk, Cabot's Xtra sharp cheddar cheese, when i approached the apple section of the produce department. They had moved my granny smith apples to make room for the 20 Fall varieties that were supposedly in season. Up to this point, I only ate granny smiths. I wondered how so many apples before me could really taste so different. The only other type of apple I had ever had was the nasty red delicious apples they served in the school cafeteria. I vowed never to eat another red apple again no matter what the name. I think i was in 2nd grade. When I realized i was walking around with a second grade mentality about apples, I decided it was time to give another apple a chance.
Now think about this... when you are grocery shopping, you usually pick what you need, maybe lingering a few moments before making your choice, then move on. It's sort of like an assembly line. There is always someone waiting behind you you snatch up what they need. That is usual grocery store etiquette. No one ever stands in one place staring for any length of time. It outcasts you as a very bad decision maker or total moron for lack of knowing what you want and usually succeeds in drawing out ornery behaviors in those around you. Food decisions, by right, should be made BEFORE entering the grocery store.
So there i am, standing idle. I feel stares coming at me from all sides as i stood in the apple isle staring at all the apple choices. There was no way of making a decision without trying the apples. I envisioned taking a bite of each kind of apple, but where would i spit it out if I hated the taste. Maybe I simply buy one of each kind and do my taste test at home. No way. Too expensive. My train of thought is suddenly interrupted by a stout older lady in a blue dress. She moves into my shopping space and smells of cheap rose perfume. "Are you making a pie?" I stare at her bewildered as I inch back a step. I almost laugh at the idea of baking a pie. I hate to bake. And I hate apple pie. I try to respond to the old lady's question. "No, I'm just.... " I pause realizing that I don't know WHAT I am doing. Am I looking for a new apple? Do I really want to replace the tart granny smith that I so love? I make small talk. "I'm amazed at how many apples there are," I manage to say. The lady grabs a bag and plucks 4 rather unsightly Pink Lady apples from the sea of apples. "My granddaughter loves these," she said. My curiosity peaks. "Are they tart?" I ask. "Oh, these apples are tart and sweet and juicy and crunchy, all in one." She is smiling widely. I am baffled how an apple can make someone so happy. But she has unknowingly helped me make a decision. "Thanks, I think I'll try one."
I grab a bag and pick out one Pink Lady apple. Just in case, I locate the Granny Smiths and grab a couple of those too. This experience has someone changed my shopping experience. I noticed how I shopped for the same brands, the same products all the time. Many of the products a result of conditioning from my childhood.
Heinz ketchup, Coke, Colgate, Stovetop and yes, Granny Smiths. I didn't know anything else. Isle after isle, I just thought about my apple. I was eager to bite into it.
I was anxious at the same time. Would I like it? Could I like anything as much as Granny Smiths?
I get into my car and put the key in the ignition. I can't wait a second longer. I take the Pink Lady out of the grocery bag and shine it on my pants. The apple is yellow with patches of brushed pink. The outside texture is firm but rather bumpy. It's really not that attractive to look at. I locate a random spot on the apple and sink my teeth in for my first bite. It's juicy and tart and sweet and crunchy, all in one. Just like the lady said. I smile widely as I finish the first bite. It's delicious. Every bite is a good as the first. My taste buds feel liberated from the monotony of sameness. I am amazed how such a simple change in my daily life could create such delight.
I'm not afraid of apples anymore. In fact, I enjoy many different kinds of apples and have learned to cook an amazing tart apple pie with another apple discovery - the Macoun. A fresh picked Macoun apple is one of my top ten favorite tastes. And this discovery came out of trying that first Pink Lady.
There are still some products that I buy based on tried and true principles. Nothing beats Heinz Genuine Dill Pickles or Starbucks Java Chip Ice Cream but
there is merit in trying new things. In fact I encourage it. It brings unexpected pleasure when you least expect it!
I challenge you to take a look at your daily routine. Look into your cupboards, your closet, your garden. Are you cultivating anything new? Are you stuck in sameness.
What is YOUR Granny Smith?
The mind is no different. If you get stuck on ordering the same meals when you go out to eat, you are missing out on a whole range of flavors. You might go so far to say, food is boring. Meanwhile your palate is screaming for a new taste.
Here is a personal story to illustrate what I mean. I call it "THE GRANNY SMITH PRINCIPLE" (a 2.75 minute read)
One Fall day, i went to the grocery store with my usual list of "must haves" - Jif peanut butter, 2% milk, Cabot's Xtra sharp cheddar cheese, when i approached the apple section of the produce department. They had moved my granny smith apples to make room for the 20 Fall varieties that were supposedly in season. Up to this point, I only ate granny smiths. I wondered how so many apples before me could really taste so different. The only other type of apple I had ever had was the nasty red delicious apples they served in the school cafeteria. I vowed never to eat another red apple again no matter what the name. I think i was in 2nd grade. When I realized i was walking around with a second grade mentality about apples, I decided it was time to give another apple a chance.
Now think about this... when you are grocery shopping, you usually pick what you need, maybe lingering a few moments before making your choice, then move on. It's sort of like an assembly line. There is always someone waiting behind you you snatch up what they need. That is usual grocery store etiquette. No one ever stands in one place staring for any length of time. It outcasts you as a very bad decision maker or total moron for lack of knowing what you want and usually succeeds in drawing out ornery behaviors in those around you. Food decisions, by right, should be made BEFORE entering the grocery store.
So there i am, standing idle. I feel stares coming at me from all sides as i stood in the apple isle staring at all the apple choices. There was no way of making a decision without trying the apples. I envisioned taking a bite of each kind of apple, but where would i spit it out if I hated the taste. Maybe I simply buy one of each kind and do my taste test at home. No way. Too expensive. My train of thought is suddenly interrupted by a stout older lady in a blue dress. She moves into my shopping space and smells of cheap rose perfume. "Are you making a pie?" I stare at her bewildered as I inch back a step. I almost laugh at the idea of baking a pie. I hate to bake. And I hate apple pie. I try to respond to the old lady's question. "No, I'm just.... " I pause realizing that I don't know WHAT I am doing. Am I looking for a new apple? Do I really want to replace the tart granny smith that I so love? I make small talk. "I'm amazed at how many apples there are," I manage to say. The lady grabs a bag and plucks 4 rather unsightly Pink Lady apples from the sea of apples. "My granddaughter loves these," she said. My curiosity peaks. "Are they tart?" I ask. "Oh, these apples are tart and sweet and juicy and crunchy, all in one." She is smiling widely. I am baffled how an apple can make someone so happy. But she has unknowingly helped me make a decision. "Thanks, I think I'll try one."
I grab a bag and pick out one Pink Lady apple. Just in case, I locate the Granny Smiths and grab a couple of those too. This experience has someone changed my shopping experience. I noticed how I shopped for the same brands, the same products all the time. Many of the products a result of conditioning from my childhood.
Heinz ketchup, Coke, Colgate, Stovetop and yes, Granny Smiths. I didn't know anything else. Isle after isle, I just thought about my apple. I was eager to bite into it.
I was anxious at the same time. Would I like it? Could I like anything as much as Granny Smiths?
I get into my car and put the key in the ignition. I can't wait a second longer. I take the Pink Lady out of the grocery bag and shine it on my pants. The apple is yellow with patches of brushed pink. The outside texture is firm but rather bumpy. It's really not that attractive to look at. I locate a random spot on the apple and sink my teeth in for my first bite. It's juicy and tart and sweet and crunchy, all in one. Just like the lady said. I smile widely as I finish the first bite. It's delicious. Every bite is a good as the first. My taste buds feel liberated from the monotony of sameness. I am amazed how such a simple change in my daily life could create such delight.
I'm not afraid of apples anymore. In fact, I enjoy many different kinds of apples and have learned to cook an amazing tart apple pie with another apple discovery - the Macoun. A fresh picked Macoun apple is one of my top ten favorite tastes. And this discovery came out of trying that first Pink Lady.
There are still some products that I buy based on tried and true principles. Nothing beats Heinz Genuine Dill Pickles or Starbucks Java Chip Ice Cream but
there is merit in trying new things. In fact I encourage it. It brings unexpected pleasure when you least expect it!
I challenge you to take a look at your daily routine. Look into your cupboards, your closet, your garden. Are you cultivating anything new? Are you stuck in sameness.
What is YOUR Granny Smith?