Ikigai Thought for Today: Pears, Pickles, and the Power of Not Yet
A lesson in personal growth.
My grandson and I were at the store recently and walked by some pears in the grocery area.
He asked if I liked pears while simultaneously sharing with me that his mom does.
I answered not really and asked if he liked them. His answer stirred my heart.
"Not yet."
He left it open to someday like pears. Even as a kid, he knows some things he doesn't like today he might enjoy later as he gets older.
'Not yet' represents a growth mindset. It is a wonderful sign of openness to learn and to embrace the new that may come our way.
'Not Yet' is a metaphor for a life being lived as a journey in the making.
I've certainly changed my mind on many things and want to be open to having them changed by new knowledge in the future. Though admittedly, I think it is a long shot on the pears.
I’ve also modeled the behavior for him. He loves pickles and asks for extra on his cheeseburger. I hate pickles, but I tried one of his extras when we shared lunch a while back.
“Well?” he asked about the pickle.
“Not yet,” I answered.
🌱 What is a 'not yet' you remain open to?
OMGosh I fall even deeper in love with your grandson with every story. “Not yet” is a perfect answer to so many of life’s questions.
wow. wise before his time.
What a lovely illustration of the growth mindset, expressed naturally. That sense of future possibilities stretching out endlessly in front of us...