Sunflower Sky
Your light recipe
It’s a sun-sucky time
Even so. You get a grip — reminding yourself. We all take a turn through the night. This is when we learn how to play with the light.
Giving yourself a light smack on the head, you look for a recipe, surprised to find that you already have all the ingredients you need.
You take a sip of poetry — just to whet your appetite.
If you asked me then
My deepest wish
I would have said, “May you always have it easy.”
As if that were a blessing.
Once upon a Sunflower Sky
Blossoming, with a bunch of laughing yoginis
You rode off on the backs of unbridled peonies.
Laughing, I cried after you, “May you never feel sad.”
As if you weren’t more than that.
Fading, in a bunch of summer petals
Daylight curdles, foreboding nettles.
And if you asked me then
“Does the story’s hero ever feel betrayed?”
I would have said, “No. Never.”
As if you weren’t part of a bigger story.
Night hollows out, the path grows stony
And a fragile moon, rises half-full only.
And when you ask me now
“How do you feel?”
I say, “Lighter.”
As if we were talking beneath an oak tree
And you were the acorn who learned how to play with the light.
Surprising me
Reaching in your pocket to share
Your handful of sunflower seeds
How to Make a Sunshine Salad
You‘ve come such a long way — now your adventure really begins.
Ingredients
4 boneless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 garlic clove minced
1 teaspoon of salt
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup of yogurt (dairy, coconut, or almond)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
½ cup shelled sunflower seeds, toasted
6 cups chopped romaine
Next steps
- Put your handful of sunflower seeds upon your pan’s silver lining. Toast your life — lightly shaking the pan — seeing all sides of sunny opportunities.
- Enthusiastically massage the chicken in a mellow mixture of olive oil, garlic, salt, turmeric, and pepper.
- Cover the chicken and chill for at least 30 minutes. Option to marinate overnight through the dark night of your soul — just don’t overdo it.
- Preheat the oven to 375 F, while basking radiantly in the heart of life’s goodness, bake the chicken for 20 minutes.
- Combine yogurt, lemon juice, and lemon zest — adding the slightest sour note for balance.
- Then toss in everything that romaines, along with your seediness. Mix everything up with optimism.
- Slice the chicken and arrange it with flair on top of your light creation.
- Enjoy this dish with someone who inspires you.
- You have more than enough to share.
Yours brightly
We hope you restored some shine.
P.S. Before you depart from Sunflower Sky, take a moment to write a note to your Self (you’re welcome to share it below in the responses, if you choose).
Reflections
As you learn how to play with the light:
-What inspires your confidence?
-What do you have the energy to say ‘yes’ to?
-What would you like to give more light to?
