Image Credit: Pixabay
In yesterday’s post, I got a little sentimental about New Orleans, and what it was like to repeatedly go through hurricane season. Today’s post, interestingly enough, tickles my home-sense as well. Why?
Because I come from the Land of Buffet and Banquet, where life itself can be connected to food, and the eating of it, preparing it, and sharing of it in every imaginable way. My people tell stories through food, with food, and because of food. We are capable of making most things make sense with food. New Orleanians, and South Louisianians are all about food. So...
… food metaphors: CHECK
That being said, remember those times when you were little, and something desired and delectable was being passed around the table? I sure do. Remember, before we knew better, how we reached out to snatch a serving as it passed us by, or while someone near us still had the platter? Remember how our desire and hunger got the better of us, and we sidestepped our good sense?
Remember getting smacked because of, what my kin used to call, our “boarding house reach”?
I do. *rubs back of hand*
I was told, post-smack, that I needed to practice patience, or to focus on being a good guest instead of focusing on my stomach, or to be mindful of my gluttony and greed.
Sage advice, really, because life is like that banquet, or buffet, or family meal.
Because I come from the Land of Buffet and Banquet, where life itself can be connected to food, and the eating of it, preparing it, and sharing of it in every imaginable way. My people tell stories through food, with food, and because of food. We are capable of making most things make sense with food. New Orleanians, and South Louisianians are all about food. So...
… food metaphors: CHECK
That being said, remember those times when you were little, and something desired and delectable was being passed around the table? I sure do. Remember, before we knew better, how we reached out to snatch a serving as it passed us by, or while someone near us still had the platter? Remember how our desire and hunger got the better of us, and we sidestepped our good sense?
Remember getting smacked because of, what my kin used to call, our “boarding house reach”?
I do. *rubs back of hand*
I was told, post-smack, that I needed to practice patience, or to focus on being a good guest instead of focusing on my stomach, or to be mindful of my gluttony and greed.
Sage advice, really, because life is like that banquet, or buffet, or family meal.
As something being passed around comes to you, reach out your hand and take a moderate helping. Does it pass you by? Don’t stop it. It hasn’t come yet? Don’t burn or desire for it, but wait until it arrives in front of you. Act this way… one day it will make (us) worthy of a banquet with the gods.”
(Epictetus, Enchiridion, 15)
Instead of gettin’ grabby, we could look around the table and consider how blessed we are to be in this place in this moment (a gratitude practice). We could take another bite of what we’ve already got on our plates, taking the opportunity to savor what we may have moments before eaten mindlessly. We could practice selflessness and help serve the meal, or clean up afterwards, even though we’re guests.
Be mindful of our passions and emotions, because if we lose ourselves in them, we could end up being our of right-relationship with the virtue of Hospitality… and no one likes a shitty guest, or a shitty host.
(See y’all tomorrow)
Be mindful of our passions and emotions, because if we lose ourselves in them, we could end up being our of right-relationship with the virtue of Hospitality… and no one likes a shitty guest, or a shitty host.
(See y’all tomorrow)
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