Purpose (file under Working toward a defined goal)

I have been giving a lot of thought to life recently. I have found myself reconnecting with people from a very tumultuous time in my life. Kind of like the narrator in Fight Club says; “You met me at a very strange time in my life.” I have spent a lot of time trying to define myself in terms that are comfortable to me rather than the world at large. I longed for as long as I can remember to fit neatly into that box (whatever that box was) so that I could be normal. However, I’ve come to realize, I am not normal, and that is far from a bad thing. I think the biggest problem I had was trying to grapple with how I can make peoples day better each and every day. And believe me I have tried everything under the sun to try and achieve this goal. And then I finally stopped fighting with myself and allowed myself to do exactly what I felt I should; join a professional kitchen.

Yesterday I wrote about serendipity and how at just the right moment in my life it has blessed me with its beautiful contributions. Today I am expanding on that by talking about my life purpose.

Paulo Coelho once said; “But there is suffering in life, and there are defeats. No one can avoid them. But it's better to lose some of the battles in the struggles for your dreams than to be defeated without ever knowing what you're fighting for.” I have lost many battles in my life. But now as I define and refine my purpose and how I am going to achieve it I am finding that the world is my oyster. And so too can it be yours!

Today, important word here, TODAY, I am finally putting to paper in a meaningful way what my plan is for the next few years. In it I am detailing what I hope to achieve, how I hope to achieve it, plans for my restaurant and all the things that that entails. I am taking the conceptual steps necessary to make sure that every day I am actively pursuing my dreams AND limiting by that writing the mistakes that I will make which usually are the result (at least in this case) of poorly defined goals and metrics.

I am thrilled that I have found myself in the enviable position that I am in. I am loving my job. Loving the work. Loving the creative aspects of what I do. Loving service and serving people. I make peoples day better each and every day and it leaves me filled with wonder, awe and inspiration. It allows me to be the me that I know I am and the me that so many of you have had the courage to be in relationship with over all these years of struggle. But I assure you, it has not been in vain, for it is time to say WATCH OUT WORLD… Ready or not… here I come.

Dr. Seuss (one of my all time favourites) once wrote; “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go.”
For the longest time I looked at the brain in my head as a double edged sword. Both a blessing and a curse. As long as I can remember, perhaps as early as fourteen, I recognized this as a personal truth. NOW, in this moment, I realize and have taken action to affirm, that I am in control of my brain and not the other way around.

Cautionary note; PLEASE DO NOT SEE THIS AS ARROGANCE or AN OVERSTATED PERSONAL RECOGNITION. As it is not. I have been told that I have too much brains for my own good my entire life. By people I love and admire and by people that would call themselves much less than my friends. I recall, a few years back a friend (through politics) of mine had said to me while we were out drinking on a Thursday night; “We are going to get you there in spite of yourself.” Expanding upon this thought, which at the time was troubling to me, I now realize that I am getting there. It comes from the personal realization that I need only satisfy my own insatiable desires (as well as my C’s). As Virginia Satir said; “I am me and I am okay.” Being comfortable with this has freed me from the bonds of conformity. It has liberated my spirit and my drive. It has made me see that I am what I am and I am in control of that.

Thus today is a beautiful day for me. Through my liberation I have found a boundless source of energy, passion, spirit and drive. It feeds my soul and lifts me up to ever new and lofty heights. So without further ado you must excuse me as I finally put fingers to keyboard to record the map of my next few years in as much detail as I humanly can.

But before I go, I entreat you, find that voice inside of you, the good one not the bad one, allow it to lift you up to where you want to be. WORK TOWARDS it EVERYDAY and I can assure you, with one hundred percent certainty, if you are willing to work your ass off YOU WILL GET THERE. What are you waiting for? What’s your dream? What’s your purpose? WHAT WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY EACH AND EVERYDAY and what can I DO TO HELP YOU? Asking questions and for help are two of the most important things that will help you on your way. I’m here anytime. LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST and only YOU can define what that means.

Walt Disney once said; “All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”

Are you dreaming big and inspired?

A la prochaine

SDM

Christmas and New Years (file under reflections)

For what seemed like the first time in a real long time I did not spend Christmas with my family. For what seemed like the first time in a long time the family was spread all over the world (mostly Canada but also Malawi). It left me a little sad as I thought back to the obnoxiously loud celebration of Christmas, Solstice, Hanukah, Kwanza or Chrismahannakwanza.

I spent most of Christmas and the ensuing day asleep. More out of a deep body tired than anything else. Catching up on much needed rest. Of course I did do a ridiculously large bone in Prime Rib which I’ve included pictures of.




I spent a lot of time, as I am now, considering what the next year holds. C and I are going to get married. She is going to finish year one of her training at Stella Adler. I am going to finish year two of my hands on training and be one step closer to realizing my goal for my fortieth birthday. While I think about the sadness of not being with my entire family at Christmas I also thought about the joy of dreaming and the result of action.

My purpose which seems to have manifested both through my culinary journey and my ability to put to paper what the journey has been like is a source of pride for me. It marks the first time in my life that I have accepted that which I can not change. I WAS MADE TO DO THIS.

I guess the ultimate purpose of this post is to wish that all of you find joy and happiness through your friends and families in the coming year as well as personal success in whatever your dreams are. If you have not as yet designed, deciphered or discovered what your dream is, there is no time like the present to try and figure out what it means to you.

Dr. Seuss once said; “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

Are you dreaming big and inspired?

A la prochaine

SDM