Community and Committment
As I sit here in my kitchen this morning reflecting on my desire and drive to create a sense of community in my little piece of the universe I had a “light bulb moment”.
I was trying to get a sense of why I am so committed to creating and connecting the community I reside in. This is what came to me. I think it’s all about coming from a family that was inherently disconnected, competitive, and driven by a world view of scarcity. I had a “knowing” that the world, my world was not about that. There was some small spark that flickered in and out that knew somehow this was not who I was nor what I was about.
Now in the middle of my life I have found that ember of knowing. That small spark that was damped down, covered, hidden by years of fears and pain. I went through incredible pain during my recent life transition. I was stripped of everything I believed was of value. That was when the wind of change swept across my heart and soul, blew away the ashes of my prior experience and gave life to that ember.Through the pain, the hours of lying fetal position on the floor in utter despair; without my being consciously aware of it, the pain was the wind. The stripping away. The re-birth of my knowing.
Stepping into my shower one morning, head down washing my hair I had this inspired vision of my mission statement. “Connecting Cooking Companionship & Community“. This is who I am……..this is what I am about. I believe that my passion for creating a place and space where magic and miracles happen every day is the manifestation of that desire. The desire to serve, the “knowing” that we are all connected and share a common future. The desire to love and be loved; that is what I was born to do. To encourage, to serve as a model and witness to the possibility of creating a community and neighborhood in whatever small part of the planet we inhabit.
I happen to be in the kitchen. But I believe it can happen anywhere. I have been given a wonderful gift of talents and experiences that have allowed me to create something that brings extraordinary people together to create and share a meal, conversation and moments of connection.
When I was a child I learned this song in bible school and now and then I sing it so I don’t forget…………
“this little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Hide it under a basket….no!…I’m going to let it shine.”
It may come to you through pain, in silence and when you are in receive mode. But it can and will come. Find your ember, your gift. Nurture it, honor it and let it shine.
FLAME ON!!!!
