Fork & Knife

Morning Darlings!

Happy Friday!

Recently, I was looking at a particularly delicious picture of the upcoming EIFF (EKO INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL) and my mind traveled to the past (by the way, EIFF is another activity you can do for fun this December and it won’t cost you much, check out the Facebook page 'Eko International Food Fest' for more details).

This food poster reminded me of the first time I used fork and knife years ago.

Let me tell you a story; It was on a sunny day, my mood was bright, my dress was on-point and I was hanging out with my girls. We were at a restaurant eating, gisting, having a good time when SUDDENLY! A group of REALLY GOOD-LOOKING GUYS walked in.

I took time off in my head to check them out while they settled on the table next to us. You should have seen me, my accent picked up a notch as I continued gisting. Then I noticed one of the guys looking at me and I thought to myself “Yes! time to show him what I’m made of!”

Immediately, I switched my fork to my left hand and picked up my knife with the right (Yes, I already knew the right positioning of fork and knife, I just hadn’t tried it before). Thinking about it now, I’m asking myself “Why didn’t I just go for the rice?”

I zeroed in on a chunk of beef and began to slice it. (A little tutorial; When you’re using fork and knife, particularly when slicing anything, make sure to hold down whatever it is with the fork, while the knife ONLY do the slicing). 

Back then, I didn’t know this, so I was moving the beef, my  fork and knife also moving,  up-and-down, up-and-down while trying to smile like “it’s no big deal, this is the way I do it”  (with my friends giving me curious looks) , the journey continued until…

The Beef from hell (with stew on it!) flipped off my plate, swished and landed right near the guys’ table!!

I wanted to disappear. I wanted the ground (for once in its life) to open up and swallow me. There was brief silence while I looked down in shame, only to look up and see the guys from the table trying hard not to laugh.  What was a girl to do? I got up, told my friends we’ll see outside and I calmly walked out of the restaurant (the original walk of shame).

Today I can laugh about it. Back then, I wanted to remain hidden forever. The good thing though? It fueled my determination to master the art. Without blowing my trumpet, I think I’m PRETTY good at it now. *INSERT PROUD SMILE HERE*

 Reliving the memory teaches me about how we sometimes work so hard to impress others for flimsy social gratification instead of working hard to better who we are (become a better version of ourselves) so that one day, others can be blessed through us, making the world a better place.

My question to you this weekend: When last did you do something (anything) to make someone’s life better? No matter how small. It doesn’t even have to be money, many times, rendering service is more impactful and long-lasting than giving cash.

Think about it. The next time you’re tempted to complain about the country, the president, the economy, the world, the weather, your job/career, your irritating family members,  pause and thank God for His blessings in your life first, then think about what YOU can do to put a smile on someone else’s face.

Have a great weekend!

Ciao!