Lessons Learned In the Dark

Have you ever had one of those days when everything is going just fine, and then suddenly, it takes an unexpected turn?
​Well, Monday was one of those days.
My adventure began with a simple plan:
After a long day of work I wanted to bake some delicious stuffed jalapeños to snack on as I caught up on emails, texts and messages. I had everything ready, from the tofu, (it was drained and pressed,) to the jalapeño peppers.  
But when I reached for the peppers, I found only one lonely jalapeño remaining. Where did the other nine disappear to?
​It was a tragic culinary mystery!

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Who ate 8 peppers last night?! And WHY?

​In moments of doubt, I believe in going with the flow and embracing spontaneity. So, I decided to scrap the jalapeno recipe and improvise. I grabbed some breadcrumbs and coated the tofu, I also added a few spices and off we went to the air fryer. I air-fried the tofu until it turned golden brown and crispy. Admittedly, I should have pressed the tofu a bit longer, but it turned out surprisingly well. 

Behold! Crispy tofu!

Just as I was about to tuck into my tofu creation, there was another twist in store. The power went off, which was a surprise as it was a sunny afternoon. No storms or even any rain on the horizon. 

As I sat eating my tofu by candle light,  I couldn't help but think about the simple pleasures of life and what we take for granted. For instance, electricity?
Don't get me wrong, I wasn't worried, the cozy cottage was well-stocked with an abundance of candles, matches, lighters, etc. ​It was a pleasant weather and I had plenty of fruit and snacks to eat without cooking, but it was still an unexpected occurrence.

Actually the thought of a slow, candlelit evening brought a smile to my face. My trusty Mac had a fully charged battery that should last for six hours, ensuring I had a source of light and entertainment. On the other hand, my cellphone and the all-important mobile hotspot were hanging on with less than 10% battery. 

However, the idea of being disconnected from the online world felt like a welcome respite. After numerous work meetings this week, I was grateful for this brief break, even if it meant sitting in the dark.  

​Could this be a message to slow down?

Sitting in the dark, thinking about life lessons.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by technology? I certainly do. While I appreciate the wonders of technology, there are times when it becomes a bit too much to handle.

​As I settled into the stillness of the darkened cottage, I contemplated the beauty of simplicity and a quiet evening.  This was probably just what I needed to recharge and rest. It was during this moment that the power suddenly came back on.

In retrospect, this unexpected power outage turned out to be a valuable reminder to unplug and rest. It reminded me of the importance of taking a break from the constant chaos of the digital world and appreciating the simple things in life. So, while the day didn't go as planned, it was a reminder that sometimes the unexpected can bring us the most valuable insights.

I hope you have a great day, full of unexpected twists and valuable lessons!