Everyone has flavor.
A few months ago, on one of those warm February days in Georgia (yes it does happen), our family of four took to the trails at Fowler Park, a local Forsyth County treasure. On one of our loops by the lacrosse field, there was a Kona Ice truck. Naturally, we bribed the children if they could make it two more loops on their bikes, their reward would be cold flavored ice. Please don’t judge – bribing works friends.
Hot and sweaty both of my girls stepped up to the truck to receive their identical cup of shaved ice before dousing them in the flavors of their choice. As they were spooning colored ice into their mouths, they each exclaimed, “Mine is the best Mom!” They both took turns forcing me to taste each one of their very special, very different Kona ices. They were both convinced that theirs was number one.
As I stood there, my mouth growing red because of all the cherry flavoring and my brain beginning to freeze, I thought to myself how very different and unique each of their flavors were; and in turn, how different each of my children were (my husband blamed my thought on the sugar and the brain freeze combo). But for real – it dawned on me – it was my job to make them feel like their “flavor” was the absolute best. And I can promise you pina colada does not taste anything like a cherry, but that did not make one better than the other – just different.
While we all start with the same basic ingredient(s) – in this case, a cup of shaved ice, it’s what gets added in that gives us our unique flavor. Everything from personality and temperament to circumstances to interests to relationships enhance our flavors. So how do we, as moms, make our kids, or in even a more general sense, make people feel their flavor is valued? Shouldn’t this be a life goal? Just to make someone feel like they are awesome and number one at least once a day? Most people just want someone to love them for who they are and appreciate their unique flavor.
So, what’s your flavor? Sweet, spicy or tart – the world is made up of very different flavors. And we need all of them…your flavor, your child’s flavor, your friend’s flavor, your neighbor’s flavor and so on and so on. It’s important for me, as a parent, to instill in my children that every person is of value no matter how they may act or look or what others may say. My flavor-filled girls, who could not be more opposite, are gifts to this world and to me. And while their flavors are different, they both are needed.
So, I challenge you, as you walk around your world today, give your kids and your people a boost. Call it a shot of flavor! Tell someone they are doing a great job, being a great friend, or you appreciate them for who they are. Color the world with kindness sharing your flavor and enhancing theirs at the same time. After all, the world needs flavor. Comment below and let me know some of the ways you were able to flavor the world today!
 – it’s what gets added in that gives us our unique flavor. So how do we, as moms, make our kids, or in even a more general sense, make people feel their flavor is valued?){kind=link}