So, I'm officially a caregiver now.
One of the responsibilities I have as a caregiver is to make lunch for my client.
And boy, am I glad I watched Masterchef Australia Season 7.
Marco Pierre White is such a big inspiration to me, not just as a chef, but as a public speaker, as a human being.
A simple Youtube search can do wonders.
A man who can handle his business well, who gives confidence to his subordinates and increases the competence of those who follow him, who is not afraid of criticism nor is he a sucker for the praises of men, who can command the respect of an army of workers and still gently inspire the hearts of young dreamers across the world, who knows how to charm and strike fear at the same time -- such a man is worthy of admiration.
(I highly suggest downloading the Tubi app, which is free, and watching Masterchef Australia Season 7. It's bound to spark one's creativity in the culinary world.)
I used to work in Chick-fil-A many years ago.
My whole family made fun of me at the time.
They thought I was too incompetent to work in the kitchen.
Three months later they promoted me twice: from Team Member to Team Leader to Senior Team Leader.
I had no experience working in the kitchen.
I was so proud of myself. Granted, it wasn't a "kitchen" kitchen. But it was still hard work. I would be up before the crack of dawn for truck days carrying heavy boxes then organizing them chronologically in the freezer (FIFO: first in, first out), then work through the rush hours for lunch till the next shift came (and sometimes they came in late or decided not to work at all.)
People at work respected me. More importantly, I respected me.
Not long after that I was able to get my two brothers to work in the same restaurant with me.
My parents and my brothers still made fun of me for holding a kitchen job even years after working in Chick-fil-A. They didn't think I had what it took to cook well. Growing up, my family never taught me anything in the kitchen, not even how to wash the dishes. (I learned that on my own as an eleven year old immigrant on my first day in the US -- a story for another time.) Eventually I improved my cooking so much that they learned to respect me.
But respect is a funny thing.
Sometimes people will respect you only if they can no longer control you.
But as long as they can control you, they will think less of you.
They will shape you and mold you into whatever image they have of you.
Often times, that means you slowly learn to think less of yourself as well.
Self-pity is a dangerous drug.
Too much self-pity can lead to despair. And too much despair can lead to suicide. And be certain of it: some people will laugh at you on the way there.
So be smart and surround yourself with good people. Sometimes you have to separate the meat from the bones.
Today I am a caregiver.
People who are discouraged and in need of assistance are lifted up because I showed up.
I am a home helper.
With the elderly I sing karaoke, I read them poetry, I draw art and inspire their creativity, I play basketball, ping pong, and encourage their physical activities, I watch movies with them, play guitar with them, sing with them, go to museums with them, help them make good memories with their families, then afterwards, I make them home cooked meals.
I'm proud of the work I do. I respect myself for being useful, competent, and confident.
I'm paid to do work that helps improve the lives of many people.
Good food has a way of brining people together.
I'm glad men like Marco Pierre White exist.
I'm grateful for this new chapter in my life.
If you have a dream you have a responsibility to yourself to make it come true...because if you don't, you're just a dreamer. -Marco Pierre White
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