Greetings, dear readers. I baked today and will bake tomorrow, too. I bake when I need to think.
Today, I thought about all kinds of things while I baked three batches of shortbread, a carrot cake, which will be tomorrow’s birthday cake with cream cheese frosting and a batch of chocolate chip cookies. Sharing baked goods is a gateway for love to be shared. I genuinely believe people appreciate the food we share because it reminds them that you thought of them, unconsciously or not. We all like being remembered in a good way.
I have a confession.
The other day, I was relatively short on my patience with the wealthy members of Hollywood after the devastation of the Palisade fires, who mostly seemed unable to think of anyone but themselves. An entire day and more was devoted just to them. One woman sobbed about losing her home. She earns a living as an influencer selling glitz and glamor, which isn’t bad, but something was lacking as she spoke from a safe place in an upscale hotel, while in North Carolina, after devastation months ago caused by massive flooding, people still live in tents at freezing temperatures.
So today, as I baked, I tried to sift through my thoughts and offer grace for myself and those suffering. I wished I had been more gentle in my thoughts. There is much to think about when there is widespread catastrophic loss. Loss is loss, and grief is real. Many things can steal our possessions, but nothing can steal our memories and the opportunity to rebuild loving communities.
After baking, I took a break and checked out social media for the first time today. The first I saw was a video of a lovely 90-year-old lady who talked about how, despite losing her home and everything in it, she wasn’t going to cry about it. She would cry for the losses experienced by her children. Instead, she made a list of things she needed to tend to, like library books that wouldn’t be returned, calling the DMV to get a new license, and the pharmacy for prescription refills. She said she would be more thoughtful about her actions and what she bought. She wouldn’t live miserly but would consider it better if the purchase was necessary.
Then, I saw another post by someone I follow who, over the decades, has turned hardship and challenges into a prosperous outlook on life. She said they were safe; the devastation was overwhelming, but she thought about the contrast of other parts of the United States enduring freezing and asked that their followers remember those affected by recent hurricanes. “It’s easy to shift focus to the next tragedy and forget we still have people suffering from the last one.” (@sassygran_dolly_gio) That’s exactly my thoughts, too.
The last two stories resonated loudly. They gave me hope that despite entities that try to sway our thoughts in one direction, we must remember that there are many directions. Try to be helpful, even in small ways. When we don’t feel it, make an effort anyway. Remind each other to be kind. See the light that shines from each of us. Do the other things.
Baking with intention and grace. Lovely!
Thank you. I think best when I bake. I bet you can relate! 🙂
Allowing more Love and Light into our world and our hearts ♥️
Amen. We can never have too much!