Learning Involves Unlearning
Y’ALL!
This Reeducation of Marquita is a whole ride that feels like a fo’ sho scam, at times.
I went to an open mic event last Friday with my bestie. There was poetry, spoken word, and music. I think I fell in imaginary superficial love with a piano player that night. It was a vegan themed event that featured a 4-course tasting menu of vegan dishes. One of the courses included beets.
When the course arrived, I was excited to eat what was put before me. The chef described his skillful and delicious preparation, and I smiled while he spoke. Bestie did as besties do when they know a friend better than a stranger; my bestie caught the expression on my face and asked for an explanation. After an exchange of expressions and words I finally relayed that I didn’t like beets. She asked me why. When I heard myself say, “I don’t know” I realized, I had never actually eaten them. I remember being offered beets once as a child, I think they were canned. The look was off-putting enough. I never even tried them, and you know what? Not only did no one force me to eat them, but neither did anyone encourage me to at least try them.
One of the few perks I’ve discovered of adulthood is the ability to make my own food choices. I’ve known few joys greater than the first time I grabbed a box of Fruity Pebbles for dinner with the intention of eating the whole box (no shame here). Freedom without accountability is the path to pre-diabetes and hypertension, but we’re wiser now. Thus, the Reeducations of Marquita. Keeping in line with my current goal of prioritizing my health and embracing newness, I tried the beets. And you know what, they weren’t what I imagined. Now, whether God blessed a beet to be so tasty or if the chef gave it some salt bae action, I don’t know. My bestie, however, informed me that she enjoys often in smoothie form.
WHAT DID THIS EXPERIENCE TEACH ME? / WHAT WILL I DO MOVING FORWARD?
I’ll give you the end most readers would be guessing right now, up front. Yes, I will incorporate beets into my diet in some fashion. Otherwise though…
What I knew to be true about myself at one time, doesn’t have to be true today. All beliefs deserve examination, even deeply held convictions about what foods one might find unpalatable. I offer that to lighten the idea, but it’s also true for weightier concepts.
The “unfamiliar” and the “untried” are perfect places for new discovery. I’m not one to just jump with both feet into everything unknown. “New and different” happen for me with lots of internal dialogue. If that sounds a little familiar to you, perhaps you can encourage your “friend” like that to try exploring newness in small ways. Go to a show with a friend and consider sitting at another table.
I still swoon for musical men with beautiful locs. However, just as I continue to encourage inner Marquita towards healthy food choices, I continue to encourage myself towards healthy love. Healthy love is never superficial or imaginary and takes much longer to develop than a set at an open mic.
This is where the part about the beets would go if I didn’t give it earlier.
Blessings!
