I was contemplating breakfast options this morning, and after running through everything from omelettes to french toast, I realised what my body actually craved was something from childhood: a hot steaming bowl of porridge (in the USA, I believe the equivalent is ‘oatmeal’ though I’ve never had it there so I couldn’t possibly comment).
Oats with a little salt in honour of my Scottish ancestors, cooked in water with sultanas so the sultanas get fat and juicy.
Served with a dash of cold milk, and a liberal sprinkling of brown sugar.
It was delicious, and I could hear my body singing as I devoured it.
Add a mug of steaming milky coffee, and I’m in heaven.
I know porridge / oatmeal is not for everyone. Duh.
I’ve known people who use the term ‘oatmeal’ as a pejorative, as code for ‘boring and bland’, and condemn those who might enjoy it. **
But you know what?
In a world where every headline seems to foretell doom, and political leaders are gleefully embracing anti-human policies, and the environment is screaming at us to change ... we need moments of relief.
A quiet bowl of porridge, eaten in a sunny room on a chilly spring day was what I needed, today.
It’s the deliberate joy of a replenishing moment.
It’s the compassion that says ‘you must be nourished in order to keep showing up and moving towards a better world’.
It’s a bowl of porridge.
And it’s also an act of political resistance.
The revolution comes through true grassroots action.
Grassroots political resistance relies upon diversity: it relies on each one of us bringing our own unique set of tiny things to keep us sane, bring us peace, help us recharge and reset.
That way, we can come together as a collective of more empowered individuals.
Nobody gets to judge how YOU find your recharge and reset, as long as it’s not harming anyone (obvs!)
The revolution is made beautiful and powerful, when we embrace each other’s right to nourish ourselves, in whatever way works best.
What is the tiny thing you’ll be embracing today, with a dash of compassion and a liberal sprinkling of joy?
** I can see why people don’t like porridge; and also - if you’re making it so it’s bland, maybe it’s the recipe and not the oats... just a possibility... 😏
