The Mandoline "Massacre"

(Five Life Lessons Were Reinforced!)

Arrow above: Mandoline assault area was almost healed.

About two years ago, I was in an unexpected battle with a seemingly harmless kitchen tool —a mandoline. In a split second, my Sunday meal prep turned into a gruesome scene, an ER visit, and weeks of wound therapy.

This week, just over two years later, and to my husband's horror, I used the mandoline again—this time WITH the protective guard. I had to; I needed thinly sliced Brussels sprouts for an “Apple and Brussel Sprouts Salad” recipe. (Yes, the salad IS delicious enough to risk life and limb.)

As I finished slicing and VERY carefully washed the mandoline’s shiny, sharp blade, I couldn’t help but reflect on the life lessons reinforced by the "massacre."

Pictured above: The apple and Brussel Sprouts salad that was worth facing the mandoline!

Five Essential Life Lessons 

Reinforced by a Mandoline "Massacre": 

 1.      Be Present. So many problems can be avoided, and opportunities can be recognized if I do NOT get distracted and pay attention to the task before me. Focus!

2.      Be Accepting. Nerve damage (physical and/or mental) may persist after an unfortunate incident, but if the lingering effects make me remember to Be Present, then maybe the “damage” wasn’t damage but growth. Yay!

3.      Be Patient. When forced to slow down or stop (using a predominant hand), instead of getting impatient and frustrated, Accept the new “normal” and simply enjoy the sideline Peace!

4.      Fail Well. In all things, great and small, failing well means Learning the Lesson, which is a WIN! Even if I must drink champagne with my left hand, I will Celebrate a lesson learned!

5.      Be Grateful. Always. Each day on earth is a gift. His Gift. I fully believe that He is with us for every moment, in celebration or sorrow. We are never alone; not even when we’re foolish enough to pick an unwinnable fight with a mandoline. Amen to that.