Sara Miles wrote a wonderful book about giving away groceries in San Francisco called Take This Bread.The thing that has stayed with me in the decade or so since I read it is her statement that everyone has something to teach me. I’ve tried to make it one of the guiding principles of my life.
Where I’ve struggled the most with learning from everyone is when rich people give advice about contentment or adversity. It’s like oh wow your anecdote about how your silent retreat with the Starfish Nuns of the Upper Clouds in Kuala Lumpur opened your being to the fact that adversity is a gift be be cherished is sooo relatable. I now feel 950% better about struggling to find the money to fix my broke-ass car.
The messenger flavours the message.
The skill that I am still very much in the process of developing is the ability to receive the nourishment of truth even when it has a funky flavour. Everyone really does have something to teach me. When I’m not open to learning. It doesn’t hurt them. It hurts me.
—Jeff
Happy December! It’s another crazy week ahead in the banquet/baking industry. I hope your week is successful!
Grow slowly
Skyler