He traveled in order to come home.
William Trevor

I love to travel. Anywhere. Any time. Any place. There is something fantastic about new scenery, new shops, new restaurants, new people, new everything! But one thing never changes…it is always good to come home. There is something wonderful about unlocking the door and stepping back into all that is familiar, comfortable, and HOME. This past weekend, our dear Brooke came home for Fall Break. Welcoming her home was so much fun. Cooking her favorite recipes (which, by the photo above, you can tell she thoroughly enjoyed!), washing her laundry, shopping and catching up, filled our quiet house once again.

This past week, in preparation for Brooke’s trip home, I began looking at several old recipes. As I rummaged recipe books, I couldn’t help but think about the parallel between life and recipes. So often, I resist trying new recipes because it presses me to try new ingredients, which in turn presses me to move out of my comfort zone. Questions arise, “What if it doesn’t turn out? What if I can’t find the ingredients? What if? What if? What if?” My hesitation or resistance keeps me from perhaps experiencing something really wonderful.

Life can be that way. These past six weeks of empty nest have been a mixture of deep heart-aches (which come totally unannounced) and hearty laughter. Rob, my adventurous husband, has has poked and prodded me from my melancholy—my old recipes—and actually stirred me to try new things—new recipes. Hot Yoga (of which now I am a complete fanatic), Mutt-Strutts at the Park (of which Abraham, our golden retriever, was King for a Day), and Cardio Dance Class (where I felt as if I was the star of “Mamma Mia!”), to name a few. We’ve taken one day trips to my beloved Outer Banks (after seeing “Nights at Rodanthe”) and seriously felt as if we were a newly married couple again.

What if I had continued to resist? Because, for years, I resisted working out at the gym (Rob’s favorite thing to do, next to golf). But, last Saturday morning, I thought, “Why not? Why not give Hot Yoga a try?” So, I pulled myself out of my comfortable bed and begrudgingly made my way to the gym. An hour and a half later, I felt completely renewed. The pain in my Fibromyalgia/Arthritic bones was released,  my stress level reduced, the tension in my neck gone and endorphins released that heightened my serotonin levels, which reduced my melancholy. All I could think was, “Why in the world didn’t I try this earlier? Look what I have been missing!” In turn, Rob smiled, shook his head and enjoyed the new me! He’s always right. It drives me crazy!

Is there a new recipe you need to try? Have you been fearful of failure? Let me encourage you today to go ahead and try it! Don’t wait another minute. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and go for it! I really believe something wonderful is waiting for you on the other side! Will you tell me about it? I’d love to hear all about it! I love new recipes —– especially those that help me taste and see something I’ve never seen before! Here’s to you!