I frequently maintain the impossibility of Perfection. On Monday though, I had a food day that came close. Typically I cook. I love to cook, and I am consistently told that I do it fairly well. Monday was a restaurant day.

This week we are in south Louisiana, vacationing and visiting daughters and granddaughter. Skipping breakfast on Monday, my food day began with lunch at Albasha; a small chain of Greek & Lebanese restaurants in this region. My choice: the "Albasha Super Salad" which includes feta cheese salad, taboule, and stuffed vegetarian grape leaves. Additionally, we shared an appetizer of Halloumi cheese sautéed in olive oil and fresh garlic, and I added a side of kalamata olives. This "Albasha Super Salad" was a staple for a length of time immediately following a minor heart attack, a few years back, when my Wife and I also lived in this area. Albasha was a contributing factor toward significant weight loss and healthier eating habits. I believe, (because of the dramatic change in lifestyle), that this food connection is (at least) partially emotional; but today, long after these healthy habits have become entrenched, it remains largely driven by taste. I have enthusiastically taken to Mediterranean fare, and since moving back to Mid-Missouri five years ago, I have found no rival for Albasha's grape leaves.

Monday evening we enjoyed a unique setting at a locally owned Italian restaurant in Kenner / Metairie. We were seated next to an interesting wall mural of an Italian street scene, complete with fountain, food vendors, balconied apartments, and a multiplicity of active, energetic foot traffic. The Brick Oven offers fresh gourmet pizzas and traditional Italian dishes. I chose the "Spaghetti and Puttanesca: Calamata olives, onions, capers and anchovies sautéed in extra virgin olive oil tossed with our marinara served over spaghetti." As I was perusing the menu and making my selection, I had no preconceived expectations. In fact, I had no recollection of ever previously ordering puttanesca; (though my Wife believes I have). To say I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement. Yet I also believe that the next time I order this dish, (even if I were to do so at The Brick Oven), it is very possible, (perhaps even quite likely), that it will not be as impeccably delicious and satisfying as I found it Monday. (And this takes nothing at all away from The Brick Oven, as everyone in our party found everything very good to excellent.) I simply believe that there are occasions when body meets gratifying sustenance in a way that maximizes the physical experience. Monday was such an occasion.

I also believe that there are occasions when heart meets fervid sentiment; and when mind meets stimulating challenge: and when intuition meets inspired illumination; that, respectively, maximize the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual experience. From day-to-day, all of these perceptual / conceptual experiences will run the gamut from frustration to mundanity to satisfaction, and varying degrees between and within.

So, is there a way to more consistently grasp (physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual) productive satisfaction? Am I able to guide my (body, heart, mind, spirit) self toward the specific (sustenance, sentiment, challenge, illumination) essentials necessary for maximizing output? And if so, how do I balance the guidance/planning with the temperance of preconceived expectations, and also with the apparently valuable lagniappe of unexpected wonder? When I plan, I create expectations by planning to a specific end. And when I set my sights on this desirable outcome, I often leave no room for the unexpectedness of personal surprise. So to summarize, I believe I am asking if I am able to, (and if I am able to, how might I), consistently put myself in a position that will invite surprise AND maximize productive satisfaction?

Here are some thoughts:

• Diversity of experience; (i.e. Try new things).
• An open mind, driven by skepticism and uncertainty.
• The ability to relax, (with a sense of humor), within a serious mindset of creative effort for learning and growth.

It appears, (from the thoughts above), that to invite surprise and maximize productive satisfaction, one risks the possibility, (perhaps the likelihood), of discomfort. I (personally) have no difficulty experiencing aspects of discomfort as described. I (personally) struggle with the ability to relax within my seriousness, which leads to an imbalance between planning and preconceived expectations, thus suppressing the potential for surprise. By relaxing within my seriousness, perhaps planning will not be as tightly wound around expectations, allowing for a broader vision of possibility, and the occasional surprise. If I plan to expectations, based on experience, (i.e. What I think I know), I am playing it safe. But if I allow for unexpectedness I will more likely be led beyond comfortable security.

I believe the risk of (frequent) discomfort for the reward of (occasional) unexpected wonder, is worthwhile. It certainly was on Monday.