. . . always the question of how far you ought to sell your soul for the sake of your life. (Powys)
Ain’t it the truth? But first you gotta understand the myriad of ways you sell your soul. Not an easy task, for me, at least. Do I sell my soul when I stay in that job too long? That relationship? When I don’t speak up in the face of what I think is wrong or evil? When I compromise my values? When I refuse to take a risk and step out into the unknown because I’m too cautious? How to know??
Which brings us to the kitchen . . .
Ah, the kitchen. The dream symbol for the place of change and transformation, where raw ingredients are magically transformed into a delicious meal. Or not. A space or a time in our lives when change can happen . . .
There is a Welsh proverb to the effect that love is drawn to love, gratitude to gratitude, bitterness to bitterness, resentment to resentment. When I do one of those “searching, fearless moral inventories,” at times I find within me a bitterness, a sour note, when what I want there only to be gratitude.
I have never liked the taste of bitter things. I prefer the real solid food of gratitude. So, clean the kitchen, the refrigerator and the cupboards, I tell myself! Toss out those bitter, sour things you don’t care for, and fill your kitchen with things you do like. Don’t become bitter from what you eat.
Ah, the kitchen, the place of transformation. I spend a lot of time there of late. I guess I’m learning yet again: Don’t sell your soul for your life. Choose what you want for dinner.