How can we celebrate Women’s History Month without including the woman who taught us all how to cook? Julia Child was the first woman to host a cooking show, which posted the highest ratings for any public television show in history. She taught Americans how to cook French Food, and she made complicated, delicious food seem easy and enjoyable to prepare. I thought this quote was apropos as she reminds us that no matter what it is you love to do…do it!
Some people like to paint pictures, or do gardening, or build a boat in the basement. Other people get a tremendous pleasure out of the kitchen, because cooking is just as creative and imaginative an activity as drawing, or woodcarving, or music.
– Julia Child 2004
Julia Child began to cook at age 32. Why? She loved to eat. And to eat well she knew she had to learn to cook. She lived in Paris with her husband Paul, and attended the Cordon Bleu as the only woman in her class. She was not taken seriously as the men just saw her as a housewife who was bored. Little did they know they were dealing with Julia Child. She learned French cooking and began writing a cookbook for American women to be able to cook French food at home. It took her and her partner seven years to write the book, and several more for any publisher to take it seriously. It has been the best selling cookbook ever since.
There are a lot of shoulds out there. Things we think we should be doing instead of enjoying the thing that brings us joy. There are always responsibilities, expectations, the next class, a new craft, another social activity, internet videos or enticing blog posts about something cool to do. It can be overwhelming to do just one thing well, and there can be a little guilt. Not everyone will appreciate what it is you love to do…and who cares!?! If it makes you a better version of yourself, then THAT is what you should do. Even if people do not understand your obsession with the thing you love to do – like building a boat in your basement – there is no need to justify what you are doing.
We are better when we exercise our creativity, in whatever form or fashion, craft or activity that includes. Yes it takes time, money for supplies, mental concentration AND a willingness to learn and fail, then try again. And all of that makes us better people. The gift of creating gives us peace, joy, a release and the satisfaction of having created something. There IS tremendous pleasure in doing something that sparks your brain to create. And for Julia Child, it was cooking. Hooray for the people who give us to courage to be ourselves and do the things we love.
So get out there and do what you love to do…and who cares what other people think! Invest in your passion, find your own tremendous pleasure and never let it go!
Ann Art Gallery Blog 