Monday, August 27, 2018

The Secret Ingredient




I'm a creature of habit as most of us are. I eat the same breakfast almost every day but just a little variation makes my day! The following is from September 14, 2006.

In six hours, I'll eat breakfast. I'm consistent with my first meal of the day menu: Oatmeal
Apple
Orange
Coffee
Water
It gets monotonous but it's quick and good for me. To be honest, the oatmeal has become boring but it is, as far as I can tell from my limited reading, an almost perfect food. I add a little bit of sweetener but other than that, bland. It has very little fat, sugar, and carbohydrates and not coincidentally, taste. But I can't get past the fact that it is both healthy and filling as well as inexpensive. Tomorrow, there will be a little something extra in my oatmeal and I can't wait. Some of our kids at Westbury Christian School arrive long before first period begins, due to their parents' work schedule. Two years ago, we began selling breakfast catered by Chick-Fil-A. It isn't an extensive menu, just biscuits and chicken sandwiches along with orange juice. However, one of the condiments offered along with the breakfast options is jelly. The jelly is made by Welches and comes in those little 1/2 ounce packets like ketchup is packaged at burger joints. Only two flavors are available, grape and strawberry. One day, I saw a packet of jelly laying on one of the cafeteria tables after the students had gone to class. I detest wasting any food so I picked it up and took it home. When I fixed my next bowl of oatmeal, I mixed in the jelly packet with the cereal....and it was good! The jelly gave the oatmeal a discernible flavor that made it more enjoyable. So now, I keep an eye out for anything with the Welches' label in the dining area and I have my students do the same. This morning, Veronica Russell brought me a strawberry packet which is why I can't wait for breakfast. In class, one of my sophomores said, "Coach, I'll just buy you a jar of jelly." I had to explain that that would take the fun out of it. The reason I find enjoyment is that it's unexpected like a gift or a bonus. If I had jelly in my oatmeal every morning, it would cease to be novel and I would get used to it. I want to be pleasantly surprised. I believe the Lord gave us the innate ability to find joy in our life, whether from grand events or little circumstances. I wouldn't expect anyone else to understand but I would guess many people have a similar quirk that fuels the lamp of happiness in their heart, if only temporarily. As for me, tomorrow is going to be a great day....and I can thank Welches for my joy.



Applicable quote of the day:
"I like oatmeal with, like, fruit in it, berries or bananas. You have to get creative with it!"
Heidi Klum/supermodel



God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1
E-mail me at steve@hawleybooks.com

3 comments:

WalkSports.com said...

Coach, I would agree with you in your "similar quirk" comment. It isn't important for me to see my name in print (when I would write something); however, I got joy in the little things such as a.) how an individual like myself, who doesn't do the things I do for a living, was able to positively influence the positive coverage of kids (in high school sports) and now runners or b.) knowing that my work was appreciated - but more importantly that my friendship was truly valued.

And we'll never know if our interaction with others keep them from otherwise giving up.

Steve Hawley said...

Steve,

One of the many things I like about you is that you're so easily pleased.

Dad

Thess said...

Got curious...so i read this...

Life would be boring if you always have the same things all the time, nothing wrong with venturing out and trying something different.

good day Steve!