Sabbatical Epilogue: A "Slightly New" Lease on Life

To say I've gotten a new lease on life after my sabbatical is just a tad too dramatic. After all, I am simply adjusting to a few perspectives developed during this time. I want something to help me remember, appreciate, and apply the insights so they do not drown in the noise or daily doldrums.  Instead of the customary ramble, I challenge myself to succinctly capture my thoughts in just a few paragraphs.      

Or perhaps through a few quotes.   

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I have gained a deep appreciation that my life is about being light and playful, with intermittent moments of seriousness; not the other way around.  Learning how to live lightly and playfully encourages expressions and promotes feelings - senses and skills we sorely lack nowadays.  How do two people make meaningful connections without expressing feelings?  And what kind of life would it be without meaningful human connections?   


I used to wonder - and ponder - what and how I can "contribute" to the greater good in the world.  A quote from Dr. Howard Thurman sums up perfectly:  "Don't worry about what the world needs.  Ask what makes you come alive and do that. Because what the world needs are people who have come alive."  Over the last six months, what repeatedly made me feel alive was sometimes an activity; sometimes a personal connection; perhaps a feeling; or a fresh idea.  Yes, I came totally alive every time I basked in my Fresh Idea. I remember now.  


A simple quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded me that "our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."  I was also poignantly reminded that no one is silent though many are not heard; work to change this. Stand up, and stand tall.  My cause depends on it, as does my backbone.  I am to continue to champion the causes that I am passionate about and believe in.  No apologies needed.      

Lastly, the genius Albert Einstein bestowed his wisdom.  "Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities.  The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence."  This continues to be a tough lesson and realization.   Aspire to become a Great Spirit and determined to break away from Mediocrity, I began to take numerous introspective looks to examine what I am and what I aspire to become.  What myths am I willing to forego; tribes from which to turn my back.  What journeys am I willing to forge forward; and paradigms to challenge.  What mediocrities am I willing to leave behind, forever.  


How long does one take to become a Great Spirit?  


Here's a paradox:  Would I remain what I am if I believe what someone says about me?  

  

Welcome to Two Thousand and Twelve!

What a fabulous year it was.  2011.  There is no need to talk about what transpired last year. All the major and noteworthy events were already recorded on this Blog.  

It is now 2012.  I am going back to work in exactly one week.  

I have been asking whether I look forward to going back to work.  I decided that I will not look forward to it, nor will I look back, lamenting it.  If I focus on either, I end up losing the most important part:  the present.  After all, the day will eventually come so there is no sense rushing it.  Since I was the one who made the conscious decision of returning to work, what is the use of grieving and lamenting the passing of my long sabbatical?  

When the leave is over, it is exactly the length of leave I needed.  No more and no less.  Comes January 8, I am to pack my brief case and my lunch bag (not necessarily in that order), set the alarm, make sure I have the correct change for the bus.  Then I start a new chapter.  

Just as the day I left for my sabbatical, my return requires no drama.  It is just another day on the calendar.  

I asked myself what kind of Year 2012 I want to create.  Then I send those same good wishes to friends and family.  I came up with a few good ideas.  

I will create my year with joy.  Joy is a state of internal happiness regardless of the events transpire.  

I will create my year with love.  The Beatles will tell you that All You Need is Love, and there's nothing you can do that can't be done.  Who am I to argue with the Beatles!?  

I will create my year with great health.  Having great health is the soundest investment I will make for myself.  Since I already have the genes on my side, I believe it's reasonable to expect some efforts on my part.   

Depending on the audience, I also wished for different lovely things for my friends, but all are the same things that I want to create for me.  

Exciting journeys that challenge paradigms.   

Gooey love with your life-partner.

A garden with bumper crops of tomatoes and carrots and peas and berries. One dear friend raises chickens.  I wished her daily fresh eggs from her hens.  I thought that was genius.

Nonstop laughters that won't bring wrinkles or crow's feet. 

A constant desire to create, to paint, to bake, to nurture, to grow, to self-develop.  

Most important of all, purpose and self-satisfaction.  

I also wish for you all these great things.  And if New Year's Resolution is your cup of tea, please consider making a Different Kind of Resolution this year. 

To quote my favorite Public Television's SIMPLY MING chef Ming Tsai: "Peace, and good eating."  

Ringing in the New Year with
Toshikoshi Kinoko Udon, a symbol for longevity.
Featured here: Organic soba, sautéed
shiitake and other wild mushrooms,
dashi broth, and garnished with
green onions and toasted nori.
Enjoyed with friend's home brew.  

Toshikoshi means "jump from one year to another".  Kinoko means mushroom in Japanese.  So this dish is roughly translated as Year End Mushroom Soba Noodles.  


(Recipe adopted from Loving Lanvin) 
Serves 4


Ingredients: 

Soba noodles for 4

For Sautéed Mushrooms:

8 Shiitake Mushrooms, stems removed and sliced
2 packages Shimeji mushrooms, ends trimmed and separated
2 packages Enoki mushrooms, ends trimmed and separated
2 Tablespoons Sesame Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

(Feel free to substitute other kinds of mushrooms such as oyster mushrooms or crimini)

Garnish: 

1 bunch of scallions, chopped
Toasted nori, cut into thin strips
Shichimi Togarashi (Japanese Seven Spice Mix)

Dashi Soup Recipe:

6 Cups Water
1 5-6 inch piece of Kombu (dried kelp)
1 large handful (about 2 cups) Katsuobushi (Dried Shaved Bonito Flakes)
5 Tbsp Soy Sauce

5 Tbsp mirin

(You can also find Dashi soup base in powdered form in some Asian markets.  Be sure to buy the kind that does not have MSG) 

1.  Combine the Kombu and water in a pot over medium-low heat.  The water should be approaching a boil after about 20 minutes (adjust the heat if the water looks like it’s coming to a boil too soon or too slowly).  Once the water comes to a boil, immediately turn off heat and remove the Kombu.
2.  Add the dried bonito flakes all at once.  Wait until they absorb the water and sink to the bottom of the pot, about 20-30 minutes.
3. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve (You can also line a regular strainer with two layers of cheesecloth or paper towels).  Let strain for a couple of minutes, do not squeeze the excess liquid from the bonito flakes, this will make the Dashi cloudy and bitter.  Add the soy sauce and mirin to the Dashi and keep hot on the stove.

Sautéed Mushrooms:
Heat sesame oil in a medium skillet over medium high heat and quickly sauté mushrooms until soft.  Salt and pepper to taste and set aside.


Preparing the Soba:
1.  Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Add the soba noodles and lower heat to a simmer.  Do not cook Soba in a rolling boil, they are very delicate and break easily.  Cook the Soba following the instructions on the package.  Strain and rinse soba really well under cold water.
2.  Transfer the soba into four bowls and pour the hot dashi soup over the noodles.  Top with the mushrooms, chopped scallions and nori.  Serve immediately with Shichimi Togarashi on the side.