Popcorn

When I first started cooking popcorn in a pot on the stove, I was so unsuccessful.  I was shaking the pot, adjusting the temperature, and ending up often times with a lot of either burnt popcorn or unpopped popcorn.  I felt that this shouldn't be so difficult.  So, I asked a friend for how they make popcorn, and they said that they just put the popcorn in the pot and set it at a specific temperature and walk away til it is done popping.  So, I tried that and was just like they said and taught me an important lesson.  Sometimes, less attention is more important.

It is counter intellectual, as it says that you need to take your hands off of something to make it successful, but I have found it to be so in so many aresas of our lives.  We THINK that we need to stay in control and manage everything to make sure that it comes out how we want. And, do not mistake me for saying that planning is not important. It is VERY important to be intentional in your planning, if you intend to actually get anything done.  However, the phrase that a watched pot never boils come to mind.  It is an area that I have come to understand and apply much more in my own life.

You see... life NEVER goes according to plan.  Often, it will be because you need to learn something or grow or change or adapt to new information or desires.  However, regardless, life itself requries that we change to meet it, rather than the other way around... even in areass that are leed by a desired outcome.

Hope is not specific.  It doesn't say that it must happen exactly this way and exactly this time.  Hope says that I know a general outcome, and I am very curious how it will in time manifest.  Until then, it is a wonderful, guarded secret.  But, I will say this and touch back on the other point that I watned to make from watching Spiderman Brand New Day.

You should always be you.  You should not act like you are only behaving to get an outcome.  Don't question if your actions are ok in order to please others.  BE you.  Love others.  Take the time to be the special person that you are and to do the things that are important to you.  It does not matter if that is validated from others.  There was another scene from Spiderman Brave New World where aunt May was cautioning Peter that he is a special child that has a good heart, and people will want to take advantage of that, but he should never stop being special.  It is what makes him amazing.  The Ted Lasso season finale that just ended had a similar theme at the end.  How others receive your care is not a prerequisite for actually doing it, or as I have said for years... the outcome has nothing to do with the intent.  If you love, love.  That is the end of the reward.

I don't know who might need this message, tonight, but it was driven to me to blog, so I hope it benefits, someone.  Have a good evening.