Have you ever had the experience of working through one of your own shadows or hardships, from which you expand into a new realm of yourself? Let me give an example from my own life.
For much of my time on earth, I worked hard to keep the peace and please people– at the expense of my own well-being and happiness. It worked really well for me in childhood and adolescence.. then it stopped working really well. I found I was not in nourishing relationships or existing in an authentic space within myself. Coming to this realization was in many ways, heartbreaking. I had to walk away from relationships that weren’t earnest. I had to set boundaries that hurt loved ones’ feelings. I had to come to terms with not being universally liked or loved. It was hard. Honestly, sometimes I didn’t really think it was worth it (thank-you universe for therapy, journaling, and Martha Beck). What came from this work was a new sense of myself. What came from this work was discovering more fun and joy in my life. What came from this work was FINALLY learning how to listen to my intuition and to really trust myself. Friends: it’s a big deal. I feel the need to also add a disclaimer here. I’m not saying everything happens for a reason. There’s senseless suffering in the world. There’s no reason for that, IMO. It just happens. Life can be brutal AND, I think it’s our job to do what we can do in creating the meaning that helps us to grow and exist in a way that creates joy and peace in our experience. This week’s ritual: Making Breakfast “How is she going to segue from compost pile to a challenging movement practice to a recipe for oatmeal?” you ask??! Easy. Life is hard. The most incredible bowl of oatmeal ever- helps. It’s that simple. This bowl of oatmeal is an amalgam (thank you Sonya Kurapatwa for teaching me a new word this week) of inspiration from my favorite cookbook authors and chef technique teachers through the years. In other words, thank you Andrea Liddon (from Oh She Glows), Dana Schultz (From Minimalist Baker), Mike Greenfield (from Pro Home Cooks) and Jules Blaine Davis (From The Kitchen Healer). Also, I’m not a professional recipe creator nor do I use measuring devices… so here’s the best I could do. My invitation to you is to make this oatmeal with your heart. Be present with the process of creating something delicious for yourself (and whomever you live with). Be with the experience of nourishment. Let it be a breakfast ritual. Recipe: OH my Oatmeal Begin with 1 cup water, ⅓ cup milk of choice – add to a pot over medium/high heat. Add a heaping cup sprouted thick rolled oats, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 1 tablespoon hemp seeds, ½ tsp cinamon, ¼ tsp cardamom (optional to also add grated ginger and a spoonful of dried pineapple) Bring it to a simmer and cook until the liquid has absorbed. Optional: while it’s still hot, stir in an egg and some vanilla. It adds creaminess, protein, and flavor. Add to bowls and add toppings. My favorites are a spoonful of almond butter, greek yogurt, and a swirl of maple syrup. Add fresh fruit (whatever is in season) and dried coconut flakes. Be with yourself and whoever you’re enjoying this meal with.
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Paige DunfordPoetry. Blog Archive
March 2023
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