Marinate

Today I am grateful for changing seasons and the beauty each brings. This morning, it is a fresh blanket of snow. I am also grateful for my siblings—our years shared growing up together and since. A special birthday wish to my sister Danita today. She’s the eldest sister, I am the youngest. Happy Birthday bookend!

Marinate: to coat or cover (food) with herbs, spices, etc. and let rest before cooking or serving. (Thank you Merriam-Webster.) I marinated some olives the other day. They were a little bland, so I looked up a recipe, drained the olives. added some olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, parsley and oregano. A few hours later, we were enjoying olives with more lively flavor. I had never marinated olives before, but I will again.

Trying new things, even as seemingly inconsequential as marinating olives. can open doors and windows of the mind and raise questions like “Why didn’t I ever do that before?” “Who knew it was that simple?” “What else can I try?”

Marinate: to cover the present moment in gratefulness and then sit with it for another moment or two. (Thank you Lisa.) You don’t even need to go to the store to buy ingredients for this marinade. Start with a pause, then add open eyes, mind and heart. Flavor with a splash of full attention. Enjoy.

The questions of life, with a little marinating, evolve into observations and transformations. There is peace in this moment, hope in the day ahead, energy within. Nothing bland about that recipe. Go ahead, savor.