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y grandson always wanted to be a part of my wife's cooking.  Even when he was 5 years old he would be in the kitchen with her "helping" any way he could.  Baking cookies or a complete meal, it didn't matter.  He wanted to be a part  whenever we were together.  He's in his thirties now and loves to cook.  He asked my wife if she would put together a book of recipes in her own handwriting, which she patiently did over a span of months.  Likely couldn't have given him anything he cherishes more.  Asked if there was a secret ingredient she may have left out, she told him, the secret ingredient is love.  He sent her this recently.

Indeed, love intermingled with what we do makes a difference.  As a cook, my wife put her love in every meal which could be felt by all who sat at the table.  As an artist, I attempt to put the love of what I do in every piece of art I create.  Every scene, every portrait is special to me as something I wanted to capture for all time, to share a little of myself with others.  Sure, there are times of frustration when things are not going smoothly, but adjusting, correcting, rethinking are all things borne from the love of what I do.  

What if we don't love what we do?  Well, we may accomplish the task, but it will never be quite as good as if we had used the secret  ingredient.  I have found if I concentrate on the positive rather than the negative, not only will I accomplish more, I am also happier.  So whether items from a recipe,  paint on canvas, or any other 'tool' we may use in life to share ourselves with others, always add the secret ingredient to why we do it, because we love what we do.

A wise man once said:  "People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said-but-they will always remember how you made them feel".

Happy Valentines Day! 

I welcome your thoughts and comments.