Finding Purpose in Pen and Pan

How my meals and words tend to defy expectations - in a good way!

So, cooking, right? It’s a bit like my relationship with writing - both involve some questionable outcomes, but I’m here to tell you I’m no Gordon Ramsay in the kitchen or a literary genius. My cooking might not win any awards, but I can confidently say my food is both edible and, dare I say, enjoyable, much like my writing, which miraculously avoids being labeled as complete gibberish. At least, that’s what I hope!

Now, let me take you back to when my writing journey kicked off.

Picture this: 8th grade, and I had a devious plan. I was eyeing that expensive-looking ink pen my best friend flaunted, fresh from her Parisian escapade. You won't believe it, but I spent an entire 45-minute free period convincing her to lend me that precious pen.

After what felt like a lifetime of persuasion, she finally gave in, with one condition - I had to write something genuinely worthwhile with it.

I, of course, failed miserably and ended up copying a measly 4-line paragraph from our history textbook. As I admired my impeccable handwriting, I couldn't help but wonder if this was what they meant by "baby steps."

Now, what's the point of this little trip down memory lane?

It's to emphasize how, ever since that day, I've found comfort in holding a pen or pencil and just writing, even if it meant transcribing from my school textbooks.

From those humble beginnings, my love for writing only grew. I traded in paper and ink for fancy smartphone keyboards, and here I am today, still at it.

But you know what? Despite this passion, I hesitated for the longest time to hit that "publish" button on Medium. There sat an unfinished draft in my Medium account, untouched since the cursed year of 2020. Did I ever gather the courage to set it free? Nope. Instead, I embarked on a wild journey through various shades of procrastination and self-doubt.

But guess where I finally ended up? Right here, right now. What pushed me here?

Here's the kicker - words. They're magical, really. They can incite change, trigger action, and even shape our destinies.

Vex King quotes in his book ‘Good Vibes, Good life’ — “What you consume, consumes you; what consumes you, controls your life.” And in the realm of words, it couldn’t be truer.

Let's steer back to cooking, shall we? Cooking, for me, is about fulfilling basic needs - satisfying hunger and desires. It serves a purpose, just like my writing does for me. I'm hoping it can help me conquer the unproductive, lazy, and borderline incompetent version of myself that occasionally rears its head, replacing it with someone who's actively pursuing goals rather than passively scrolling through Pinterest.

So, what's the takeaway from all of this? Imagine writing your own article, launching your dream business, learning a new language, or diving headfirst into the conscious lifestyle you've always fantasized about. Could it make an impact? Absolutely.

Just as a few quotes and some contemplation spurred me into action, I guarantee that taking action for yourself today will lead to a much brighter, happier future. You'll find yourself in a better place, brimming with newfound confidence and a zest for life.

Let me leave you with a parting thought, courtesy of Erin Hanson -

“There is freedom,

Waiting for you,

On the breezes of the sky,

And you ask ‘what if I fall?’

Oh, but my darling, ‘What If you Fly?’”

Don't let your fears hold you back. Remember, self-doubt kills more dreams than failure ever could. So, my fellow reader, go forth and conquer!