"Make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life."
~The Prayer of St. Francis
The other day I overheard a conversation. A woman was criticizing a group of people whose philosophy of life she did not share. I remember thinking to myself, "That woman is so judgemental!" A few minutes later, a smile crept across my face as I realized that in order to label her as judgmental, I first had to pass judgment on her.
In that moment I was reminded of The Prayer of St. Francis. I am not a member of any organized religion, but that prayer has always been one of my favorites because it is so empowering. It suggests that we have within our hearts the power of transformation.
From a physics standpoint, everything in the Universe is made of matter. This matter expresses itself in a variety of states: solid, liquid, gas, plasma and more. From a cosmological standpoint, the term matter also refers to little understood forms such as dark matter and dark energy. So everything in our Universe is made of the same stuff. The shapes, forms and colors may change, but at its core everything is one. The energy that expresses as love, hate, fear or compassion is all made of the same ingredient. Think of it as modeling clay. You can shape it into anything you wish. When you realize this universal sameness at the base of our existence, negative thoughts and emotions, whether generated by ourselves or others, are not something to fear. They are gifts of thought, an energy that we can reshape with visualization, meditation and prayer.
Here is my modern version of a transformative prayer. I often say it before meals. Direct this prayer to your own concept of that power in the Universe which is greater than yourself, whatever that may be.
"Thank you to the plants, animals and people who gave their lives, time and energy to bring me this delicious food. Let me share this gift of life with others by expressing that which is your love within me.
Take from me fear and transform it into faith;
Take from me judgment and transform it into humility;
Take from me resentment and transform it into forgiveness;
Take from me hate and transform it into tolerance and compassion;
Take from me self-will and transform it into surrender;
Take from me greed and transform it into gratitude;
Take from me sadness and transform it into a joy that I can share."
The next time you think someone is being judgemental or prejudiced or intolerant, remember that the key to a closed mind is an open heart. The power of change lies within you.
Strawberries transform pesto into a delicious, almost aphrodisiacal dish.
Farfalle with Strawberry Pesto
This dish is excellent by itself, or as an accompaniment to grilled chicken. It is also delicious at room temperature, as a first course for an elegant brunch. Be sure to use organic strawberries, as commercial strawberries usually have a high pesticide residue.
*I started with about 1 quart of frozen whole berries. After defrosting, draining them well and trimming the tops, I ended up with about 1 and 1/2 cups of defrosted berries.
1 1/2 cups of defrosted, well drained, organic frozen strawberries*
1 tablespoon minced shallots
1/4 cup dry-toasted slivered almonds
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese or a blend of Parmesan and Romano.
1 teaspoon Sherry Vinegar or Balsamic Vinegar
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, plus more to serve
Salt to taste
12 oz. farfalle pasta
1 tablespoon butter
Blend/process strawberries, shallots, nuts, tarragon, half the olive oil and the cheese. Scrape down sides of blender/processor with a spatula if necessary. Gradually add remaining oil, vinegar and freshly ground pepper. Pulse a few times and taste. Add salt if desired (I didn't).
Cook pasta al dente in boiling, salted water. Drain well and toss with the butter until it melts. Add the sauce and stir to coat.
Serve immediately, topped with additional freshly ground pepper.
Sublime!
Serves 4