So-so is NOT Okay

I believe life is too short to not do your best in all things. Those "things" could be in doing school work, attending a play, cleaning (DO NOT laugh!), kissing, listening, being a parent, being a friend, being a spouse, being a partner... Of course, cooking, is on this list as well. To give ones best is exciting! To be "so-so" is boring. Name something, anything... Whenever a person gives their best, you know it don't ya think? Doing a just "so-so" job at something, anything, name it, is not "okay."

Have you ever purchased a treat for yourself from a bakery? Something like a cookie or a cake or a pie? Very rarely I am happy I "treated" myself. Even more rarely do I actually finish the "treat." I will be honest with you, I usually taste purchased foods, deconstruct them in my head to figure out both how to make them and how to do it better. My younger daughter, Mia, hates to eat out with me for this reason. I will not eat "okay" food. I am the person who sends food back to the kitchen... (For those of you Dear Readers clucking your tongues at me right now, STOP! Remember, no judging here at Mary's Kitchen.) I simply hold others to the same standards of accomplishment I hold myself and "so-so" is not "okay."

I do not believe holding others to a high standard is a bad thing either. I show you respect, I expect respect to be shown to me. (I know, more clucking.) If the best a student can give is a "C" BUT they worked hard, showed up to class, participated and studied hard, that "C" stands for "awesome" in my eyes. If, I eat out at a restaurant, pay good money for a meal, I expect the meal to be the best the chef has to offer. In this case, a "C" stands for "average" and is not "awesome" in my eyes. I will probably let the management know I was not satisfied in the hope they ( and the chef) will improve from the feedback. High standards are what we all should aim to achieve. Lets hold each other accountable and strive to be our best. Lets strive not for "so-so" to be "okay."

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