After last week’s Permission To Take An Intermission, I came back strong and refreshed. This week I hit my own personal high water mark of accomplishment!
I set a steep financial goal for myself (and surpassed it!) And while I was saying yes to everything that came my way to achieve that goal, I found myself saying yes to other things too.
Things I normally would talk myself out of. Meetings, favors, workouts, client hand-holding, phone calls, two hour audition prep (crossed fingers on a new animated Netflix series!)
image by Lisa Congdon
I pushed myself in ways I didn’t even know I had room to grow. I dug deep. I found reserves of energy, ability, and desire. And the good thing about high water marks is the proof of what is possible. It’s a measure of the highest tide. A maximum recorded level of value. Oooooooh Aaaaaaah.
We all know about low tides and high tides. They come in, they go out. There’s high water and low water. So based on this week’s high water mark, next week will more than likely recede in opportunity and exerted effort, right?
Not necessarily so…
I looked up high tides and it turns out there’s something called tidal range. You could say it’s the constantly moving middle that keeps the highs and lows as moving targets.
Tidal range is the height difference between high tide and low tide. Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and Sun and the rotation of Earth. Tidal range is not constant but changes depending on the locations of the Moon and Sun. (I love that it’s a fluid concept AND that actual water is fluid.)
image by jupiterimages/photos.com
This is good news! My high water mark of this high tide week could actually go even higher! I could accomplish even more, I could make even more money, push myself harder.
And when we measure our metaphorical lows tides, those are also in flux. Our lowest point may not be as rock bottom as it seems. Things may feel like they are at their worst, but we can actually take comfort in knowing that the Earth continues to spin. The gravitational pulls from the Sun and Moon will eventually even things out. And there’s a special magic about low tides, they reveal unexpected treasures that we might not normally see during a high tide. All good things.
“The tide is high but I'm holdin' on. I'm gonna be your number one. I'm not the kind-a girl who gives up just like that, ...”
The farmer’s market has a low tide and high tide too. Each season delivers some real beauties, but spring really looks like a party compared to winter crops. I love the prehistoric look of rhubarb - it’s like celery on steroids that’s fallen in love. I snatched up a big stalk and thought I would make some blueberry and rhubarb hand pies or make a sweet rhubarb syrup to put in drinks. Growing up on our little farm in Missouri, our rhubarb harvests only made it into sweet strawberry rhubarb combinations. Pies, shortcakes, and as a topping for vanilla ice cream. I thought I’d put this big guy into a savory slaw.
Asian Rhubarb Slaw:
1 cup shredded rainbow carrots
1 cup shredded broccoli stems
1 cup julienned rhubarb
1 cup shredded purple cabbage
1 cup shredded green cabbage
1/2 cup chopped salted peanuts
Dressing:
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated or from a jar)
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon grainy mustard
1 minced clove of garlic
salt and pepper
Combine the slaw ingredients in a large bowl. Combine the dressing ingredients in a jar with a lid, shake vigorously until combined. Taste for balance. Does it need more salt, pepper, or honey? You may not need all the dressing, so don’t just dump it all in. Pour and toss and add more if needed.