Ever have those days, weeks, or months where life itself doesn’t seem to fit anymore? I’m neither here nor there. Waiting for some grounding but it’s just not happening? Trying to move forward but every day feels like a step back? Yah. I get that. Our lives are kind of like loaves of bread.
Bread and croissants from Polestar Bakery, Guelph
Flous is like our down time. For some there’s not enough. For others it makes up a lot of what bread is. But there’s not always a lot in it. Time to try a different approach? Perhaps a different flour with more nutritional value? Something that rejuvenates or feeds your mind instead of simple entertainment? Or maybe a lighthearted sitcom is exactly what you need. Deepening connections in our lives can help revive our spirit if we’re willing to foster them. The good news is it does not all depend on the flour. Flavour comes through with salt, and perhaps even some sugar.
Salt represents our relationships. Add a little salt to the mix and it can bring out elements of ourselves we may have forgotten. In my life that looks like a quirky moment with my kids, or intimacy with my lover. But have you ever accidentally poured too much salt into your mix? Maybe some of the relationships in our lives aren’t healthy. Or maybe we’re having too much people time. What do we do when there’s too much? If we can add less salt next time, that’s ideal. But, we can’t always eliminate the salt. So, we may need to increase other ingredients like adding more flour, or eggs.
Eggs represent the regular cycle we go through. When the egg is missing, when routine is off it can shake things up for better or worse. Is it time to get back to routine or add some variation?
Then there’s water, that element like nature in general I take for granted. It’s always there, and I can’t live without it, but I forget how vital it is. Water is life. I benefit greatly when I connect with water in nature and honour its rightful space in my life. And when I nourish my body with it instead of all the other liquids that never really quench my thirst but instead leave me wanting for more. It’s kind of like the difference between real connection and superficial ones. Deepened bonds versus social media connections. Tapping into our spiritual side instead of drifting through life.
And lastly all the other unique ingredients I choose to add, like oil, olives, or maybe today I’d prefer cranberries and nuts. Almond milk instead of regular. And perhaps some chocolate chips? Because today that’s how I’m feeling. That’s what I need. Those ingredients might look like painting, going for a walk, spending time with an animal or perhaps a feisty friend, or nourishing my body by being kind to it.
Goodies from Polestar Bakery, Guelph
So I’m going to try to listen to myself. And connect deeper with another real, in-my-face human being. Sometimes when we look at ourselves like a loaf of bread it’s hard to know if something is missing. That’s where mindfulness and connection with others comes in. Do any of your ingredients need to be increased or reduced? What does your loaf look like?