I went to my favorite cafe for my usual over priced healthy hummus toast because I’m too lazy to make it myself. Peeking out from under the fluffy, lemony zest goodness was a questionable black ring. Burnt toast. My first thought was, “Why didn’t they just throw it away and make a fresh, unburned, gently toasted piece?” My second thought, “That piece was worth its weight in gold, so why throw money in the circular file?”

So, as I watched customers indulging in their coconut & almond milk laden colorful fruit bowls, I was relaxed and enjoyed the taste of that burnt toast. It broke the monotony and gave its flavor an added je ne sais quoi, still fulfilling, still delightful, still thankful that this healthy godsend cafe exists in a society of processed everything.

Years ago, I wouldn’t have been this positive or forgiving. But in life you have to pick your battles. It’s ok to make heads roll, but at the right place and at the right time, but with tact and gentle ignited passion.

Life is a balance. Try not to act like a gorilla in a cage, but don’t allow yourself to become a doormat either. Be the person who I just saw in a home improvement store parking lot space, sprawled out in the middle with his bike on its side soaking up the sun and the warmth of the concrete, taking a break, resting the mind, body, and spirit, not worrying if a seagull is going to crap on his face. Be that person.