I have failed more than succeeded in life endeavors, largely because I didn’t put the necessary effort into understanding the cost and commitment , or really thinking through what’s needed to create the best opportunity for the most desired outcome. It’s easy for me to take a casual interest in something, do some cursory digging to be minimally informed, go do the thing, and then, surprise, surprise!, find that the results are less than hoped for and sometimes an outright bust. I am often blind to the deeper design and preparation considerations, as well as identifying the resources necessary to build a solid foundation and framework to give any worthwhile undertaking an opportunity to truly flourish.

My little vegetable garden is the current, somewhat well used metaphor for what I am talking about. It is pretty easy to clear a little ground, loosen some soil, buy some plants, put them in the ground, give them water and fertilizer, then hope for a good crop. The problem is, if I want the opportunity for a really good harvest, doing more than the minimal work is necessary. It is unrealistic to think that taking a superficial approach to anything is going to bring success. I know that for a vegetable garden to produce an outstanding crop, I have to take the time to plan, understand what the plants need to thrive, and prepare the soil with the best possible ingredients and composition to give the plants the best conditions in which to grow. I did not do that this year and the disappointing results bore that out.

It is important to count the cost of whatever you undertake, because committing to something fully will take time that you cannot devote to something else, but, if it is important, the sacrifice will be worth it.

The flavor of life tasted and experienced today is a culmination of all of the sensory and emotional ingredients from all of our yesterdays. The taste is full of bittersweet.

Embracing Asymmetry

I have found that one of the struggles of life is wanting everything in my little world to be in harmony, balance and symmetry, like a juggler with three balls in the air in perfect control. I am dumbfounded that I continue to live with a shred of expectation for life to ever be that way. I have begun to realize that there is beauty in the asymmetry of our flawed existence and growth from the ashes of chaos that brings transformation. Perfection is impossible this side of heaven, but it is so difficult to accept the breakdowns of daily existence with any measure of gratitude. No one wants hardship and tragedy in their life, and it feels glib and cliché to simply smile and say it will be okay; however, we can find solace and wonder even when things are out of control.

I was gathering vegetables in my garden, and as I picked a funny looking U-shaped cucumber I was reminded that the most delicious ones aren’t necessarily the prettiest or most uniform. Ugly food can taste great! Things of true beauty in this life and the most deeply desirable are not found in what we try to create to look and feel to be perfect or symmetrical in our human eyes. Studies have even shown that human faces with more symmetrical features are viewed as less attractive than those with asymmetrical ones.   I often find beauty in the most ordinary things, or in the unique and unusual. So, embrace the asymmetry and imperfect beauty in life and keep your sanity.