The Peculiar Blue Drink & The Art of Taking Chances
Anyone who knows me understands that when it comes to food, I know what I like and rarely stray from comfort. I did it once in seventh grade when I bought school cafeteria sushi and quickly realized the error of my ways. It was one of the worst moments in my life. Everyone was all about this cafeteria sushi in my school, so I ignored my better judgement and bought the food… if that’s what you want to call it. I was too chicken to try the fish one, so I chose a veggie roll thing... and it ended horribly wrong.
The food was not in my mouth for more than 30 seconds when I spit it out and almost threw up on my best friend. She screamed when she though I was going to puke. People looked at me. Whispers started. And I regretted every decision I made that day that led me to that moment.
Needless to say, my appetite was gone and I didn’t eat the rest of my sushi, and haven’t tried it again since. Since this disastrous decision, when it comes to food, and many other things in life if I’m honest, my comfort zone and I have become very good friends. Even my mother thought the end times had come when I came home from college one summer and ate a cheeseburger. This is how deeply embedded my likes and dislikes were. As silly as it sounds, I was so ridiculous about it that my family had to plan dinners around the restaurants I knew I liked, because forcing me to change only created chaos. And isolated me. And made me uncomfortable with who I was.
I wasn't ready to change that part of who I was, and only in my time would I be able to.
But that’s thing about change, isn’t it?
Very rarely when it is aggressively forced upon people without love and patience, does it end well.
So, here we are, with this blog post. I’ve grown since I was that 12-year-old girl who almost threw up in the school cafeteria. But that doesn’t mean I don’t still struggle. On Saturday, I went to a coffee shop in my hometown and looked at the menu. Each time I’m in a new environment, I feel my heart seize a little, and this was what came over me looking at the menu in this cute little shop. My friend and I went ax throwing the night before and she was in desperate need of coffee… but I don’t drink coffee.
As my eyes peered over the menu the only thing that looked like it could be on my radar was a lemonade. I like lemonade. But this lemonade was called the “Blue Buddha Lemonade” and the woman in front of me bought it. Looking at it, the top half of the drink was a deep blueish purple, and the bottom half was the lemonade I was searching for. I had no clue what the “Blue Buddha” part was, but I love lemonade, so I took a chance despite the $5 price tag.
Funnily enough, this strange drink that made me nervous was the perfect way to start my day. It was citrus-y and sour, but had a lovely fruity twist that just made my taste buds happy.
This example may seem totally silly, and I can think of a number of times in my life when I was in a position to change that affected much more in my life than my stomach, but the principle of the story is relevant to all parts of our life. Change and taking risks are never easy. It is never comfortable. Sometimes you have to look at moments like this to remember that starting small is sometimes the best way to go.
Sure, I didn’t pack up and quit my job, move across the country, and chase my dreams, but I did something that made me uncomfortable. And the next time I have to do something that involves a risk, I’ll remember that it worked this time, so it would be worth it to try again. And every if it didn’t work, the drink didn’t kill me, so it still wouldn’t be all that bad.
Change always involves taking a chance.
And sometimes it doesn’t work and you end up almost throwing up on your best friend, but other times you find your new favorite drink in a hole-in-the-wall café and it instantly makes your day brighter. No matter the outcome, you took the leap and learned a little about yourself in the process.
What’s your favorite risk you took this week? Share in the comments!
