One night last week I made a mini grocery run to Wal-Mart. Once the few bags were unpacked Jonathan stood in front of the fridge and said, “wow this is the most food our fridge has ever had.” I went behind him, looked for myself and had myself one proud moment. I knew that Jonathan was not referring to the few new additions, he was simply acknowledging, for the first time, a (my) work in progress.
I remember being a 23 year old newly wed and standing in front of my refrigerator on the verge of an emotional breakdown. It was empty and I could not figure out why. We had all the necessities: a leftover meal, milk, eggs, soda and some other basics. However when visitors came over, they always commented on how EMPTY my refrigerator was. I vividly remember checking out other’s fridges just to see what was filling up all that space. I tried to buy random things that would never get used but would fulfill the mission of “filling up the fridge.”
I cant remember when I stopped trying and there is no clear point that comes to mind of when it starting filling up on its own. It just has. If you were to ask me what is in there, I probably could not tell you, until its missing and I need to get more.
Jonathan had no idea what his most recent comment actually implied. To him it meant good food and available snacks. To me, it meant growth.
Growth is not something that you can force. Its not like you can say, oh I need A, B and C and then I have grown. We can look at others and try to imitate but the only thing that can truly foster growth is time. Not to ignore the needed efforts, however you can try and try but it won’t happen over night.
There is nothing more satisfying then having someone else bring your growth to your attention. On the opposite end, there is nothing more heartbreaking then having someone look at you, five years later, and not see any change.
Although my fridge has noticeably improved, if I open it years from now and it looks the same as it does today then I know I have a problem. Growth should not come to end.
The next time you open your “fridge”, take a really good look in there and see if you can see a change. Do you still buy the same things? Do you have lots of old things that no longer serve a purpose? Have you swapped things out and exchanged them for better products, or even thrown them out completely?
I know I am a little late for the new year thing but really as we get into this year, focus on growing. I don’t want to be old and wise. I want to be old and wiser. I am committed to filling up my fridge, my pantry and my cupboards. I want my life to be full of proud moments, when others look at areas of my life and without me saying a word, they for the first time acknowledge something different about my work in progress.
I remember being a 23 year old newly wed and standing in front of my refrigerator on the verge of an emotional breakdown. It was empty and I could not figure out why. We had all the necessities: a leftover meal, milk, eggs, soda and some other basics. However when visitors came over, they always commented on how EMPTY my refrigerator was. I vividly remember checking out other’s fridges just to see what was filling up all that space. I tried to buy random things that would never get used but would fulfill the mission of “filling up the fridge.”
I cant remember when I stopped trying and there is no clear point that comes to mind of when it starting filling up on its own. It just has. If you were to ask me what is in there, I probably could not tell you, until its missing and I need to get more.
Jonathan had no idea what his most recent comment actually implied. To him it meant good food and available snacks. To me, it meant growth.
Growth is not something that you can force. Its not like you can say, oh I need A, B and C and then I have grown. We can look at others and try to imitate but the only thing that can truly foster growth is time. Not to ignore the needed efforts, however you can try and try but it won’t happen over night.
There is nothing more satisfying then having someone else bring your growth to your attention. On the opposite end, there is nothing more heartbreaking then having someone look at you, five years later, and not see any change.
Although my fridge has noticeably improved, if I open it years from now and it looks the same as it does today then I know I have a problem. Growth should not come to end.
The next time you open your “fridge”, take a really good look in there and see if you can see a change. Do you still buy the same things? Do you have lots of old things that no longer serve a purpose? Have you swapped things out and exchanged them for better products, or even thrown them out completely?
I know I am a little late for the new year thing but really as we get into this year, focus on growing. I don’t want to be old and wise. I want to be old and wiser. I am committed to filling up my fridge, my pantry and my cupboards. I want my life to be full of proud moments, when others look at areas of my life and without me saying a word, they for the first time acknowledge something different about my work in progress.
6 comments:
That's the single most powerful thing I've read in a while. Thanks!
very deep
Here !!!! Here !!! :)
After my most recent doctor's appt, i realized my fridge was filled with things that weren't good for me, so i'm having to discard some items. Symbolism is every damn where.
I tagged you mama... :)
Congratulations on your new shopping skills Wynt - oh, and I completely feel you with the continual growth thing...very well said!
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