A Recipe for Life (Bake with Patience)

Ingredients:

• 1 heap of (seemingly) insurmountable challenges or setbacks
• 2 cups of resourcefulness
• 1 teaspoon of courage
• 1 generous helping of creativity
• A few teaspoons of humor (to the taste)
• A dash of gratitude
• A helping hand from a loving friend, partner or family member

Instructions:

1. Survey your scraps. Begin by taking a good look at what you’ve got. Maybe it’s the remnants of a once-delicious pumpkin pie or the leftover unused batter for some apple cinnamon muffins (or the remains of a failed project, an unexpected detour or a crumbled expectation). It might not be the feast it once was or what you were expecting it to be, but it’s a start. Acknowledge its potential—there’s more in those scraps than meets the eye.
2. Marinate with acceptance. Toss out perfectionism and blend in the humor—don’t measure too carefully; this isn’t that kind of recipe. Learn to laugh at yourself and don’t forget that it’s your first time cooking (and living). A handful of giggles makes everything slightly better.
3. Blend in creativity. Sprinkle the creativity all over the leftovers—make sure not to miss a single spot—and knead it in well. Cover it carefully without stifling it, place in a warm, loving place and let it rest. Creativity generates the most results when given ample time to grow.
4. Mix in courage and resourcefulness. Preheat your mindset to “determined.” Combine your teaspoon of courage with the two cups of resourcefulness, mixing it all together. Don’t worry if it feels lumpy or uneven—this is where the magic happens. Courage will act as the leavening agent, helping your creation rise above the challenges, while resourcefulness binds everything together.
5. Bake with support. Transfer your mixture to a safe and supportive environment—perhaps the metaphorical oven of a friend’s encouragement or a loved one’s shoulder to lean on. Let their warmth and kindness surround your creation as it bakes into something new and unexpected. Keep checking in, but trust the process.
6. Sprinkle with gratitude and serve. When it’s ready, remove your creation from the oven and take a moment to savor it. It may not be perfect or what you originally envisioned, but it’s yours. Remember, there’s no such thing as a failed recipe—only a lesson for the next dish.

Yield: Serves as many as you’re willing to share it with, but always leaves enough for you to feel nourished too.

Chef’s Notes:

• Don’t be afraid to experiment. Some of the best recipes (and life lessons) are born from trial and error.
• If your first attempt doesn’t work, don’t toss it out. Adjust, try again, and let it rest a little longer.