Integrity in Baked Goods and in Life
Lessons on authenticity as taught to me by The California Raisins
Growing up, raisins were touted as “nature’s candy”. They were even given celebrity status on TV as a claymation band called The California Raisins. They had action figures, clothing, and I believe they even had a recorded album.
Anyway, cute as they might have been, The California Raisins did not change my opinion of the actual fruit.
Here’s the deal, they pretend to be chocolate chips.
We all know that pretending to be what you’re not is not an admirable trait. And when I bite into a delicious looking cookie expecting melt in your mouth chocolate, but instead am greeted with overly sweet chewy bits of grapes-that-failed-in-life, then they’ve crossed the line.
As you can clearly see, I have deep childhood trauma over this, and even in my 50’s I’m always leery of any baked goods that may contain these deceptive drops of disappointment.
So what does this have to do with anything, you ask?
In a word, integrity. Just be yourself. Be the best “you” you can be. After all. Nobody can be as good at being you as you, right?
Grapes do not belong in baked goods. They are trying too hard to be something they are not. Passing themselves off as chocolately morsels only leads to disappointment.
Grapes are lovely as a fresh fruit. And pressed for their juice, they make wonderful wine. And even dried (like raisins) they can make a beautiful Amarone. Here, they aren’t trying to be anything other than what they are and their beauty shines through.
And so too, will you shine brightest when you draw on your gifts and strengths as only the authentic you can. When you try to be like someone else, everyone misses out on your beauty.
So I ask, please, in the name of all that is blessed, keep raisins out of baked goods and don’t try to be what you aren’t. Both cases only lead to disappointment.
Sometimes we need a little help finding our authentic voice. We know what we like and who we want to be, but sometimes second guess ourselves. We allow outside influences tell us who we should be. Leveraging your Human Design is the best way to embrace your authentic self and know that what you feel is truly your authentic voice just waiting to be heard!
What I’m Reading This Week
Here are some other ‘stacks that have caught my attention this week. Check them out and subscribe or share if you like what they have to say: