By Sunny Simon
While meandering in and out of casinos on the Las Vegas strip, I suddenly realized
I was famished. We were in Caesar’s Palace, so I suggested we head over to the
Mesa Grill, owned by Chef Bobby Flay. My mouth watered when I thought about the
Blue Corn Pancake and Barbeque Duck entrée on the lunch menu. Unfortunately,
my taste buds were in for a disappointment. We missed lunch due to hours of
sightseeing. Consequently I headed toward an adjacent food court in search of
something healthy, while my husband selected an all-American vendor who served
hot dogs and beer.
Snagging a table I sat down with my salad. As my spouse took a seat, he related
a story about the man in front of him who placed an order. The clerk identified the
individual as the chef of a local high-end restaurant. She was delighted to have him
at her food stand, but puzzled. When she questioned him, the chef shrugged his
shoulders and replied with a smile, “Sometimes you just feel like a hot dog.”
I love that story. It smacks of simplicity. We have a tendency to over complicate
our lives. Some of my clients are slaves to technology. They are relieved to turn off
their smart phones during our sessions. I get the feeling it is one of the few times
those phones ever go dark. Our high tech toys can both streamline and complicate
our lives. It is perfectly acceptable to “unplug,” withdraw from all communication
modes, and enjoy some tranquility.
Simplifying life is not just about managing your work hours. Are you a slave to your
social calendar? Do you feel obligated to spend time with people when you’d rather
be home reading a great novel? Understand this… “no” is a good word. If jazz is not
your preference and the gang is off to hear some band jamming Coltrane’s work,
politely opt out. If a negative friend habitually bends your ear for hours about all
the drama in her life, find a way to distance yourself.
Does your commute take hours out of your life? Consider a move or look for a new
job. And finally, if throwing gourmet dinner parties for friends causes stress and
involves an inordinate amount of time in the kitchen, simplify the menu, or suggest
pot luck. If all else fails, just serve hot dogs with a dollop of mustard and lots of
love.
