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Monday, February 16, 2015

It's All in the Layering



Have you ever eaten a delicious three- or four-layer birthday cake?

One of those delectable mile-high desserts where between every chocolate-y layer a new flavour bursts on your taste buds. It's heavenly, isn't it? Now there is nothing wrong with a one-layer cake, but, oh my! it's much more exciting to savour a variety of flavors and textures in that one delicious mouthful.

In truth, I would like my life to be more like a three-layer chocolate cake. Interesting and slightly unpredictable, with promises of rich creamy texture, sweetness vs tart, along with smooth and crunch in my days.

Just as the baker of such a dessert gets to choose the cake and what each layer will be, so to we have some choice about what layers our days. Sure, we can have a simple one-layer sponge cake, working all day long, but wouldn't it be more beautiful to anticipate designing a day that's layered with needful tasks as well as creative ones, busy ones beside quiet, peaceful ones. Days that feel different, taste different, even smell different.

Layers of reading, scrap booking or birdwatching. Writing. Doing the crossword. Quilting or knitting or crocheting. Painting your bedroom with that gorgeous new colour you found. Walking, swimming, meditating. Visiting at large family gatherings and then enjoying quiet solitude in the garden or your favourite cozy corner. Layering the fun stuff between the more tedious tasks. Lazy moments alongside crazy busy ones.

It may be an old cliche, but it's true, variety is the spice of life. When I layer my days with an assortment of activities, people, and experiences, I find myself feeling richer, more vibrant, and bursting with the joy of living.

Yes, I want to create my life to be more like a three-layered birthday cake...

Will you come for tea and cake?
Brenda
xox


Updated: original post published in 2008




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14 comments:

  1. Elizabethd17 February 2015 at 15:16

    Brenda, I'm on my way for tea and cake! How delicious that chocolate layer cake looks.

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  2. Christine17 February 2015 at 16:03

    How do you do it?
    You took me way deep into your words and I could feel every emotion you shared (and more).
    From the delicious layered cake, to the comparison to a busy life, and all the different "spices of life".
    Great post!

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  3. Linda Kay17 February 2015 at 16:05

    I like the thought of living the day in layers of adventure, for sure. Lovely post, Brenda.

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  4. Lorrie17 February 2015 at 22:07

    I'll be right over for tea and cake! Interesting thoughts about layering. I agree that variety is necessary. Just now my cake is huge layers of lesson planning and teaching, but I'm trying to layer in a little sewing, a little reading, a little walking and talking with my husband, and a little time with children and grandchildren. Love the metaphor here.

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  5. Cheryl 17 February 2015 at 22:26

    Oh, I love this picture of "layers" you've inspired! Now I'm thinking about those layers of life...needing to add a few layers during this season.

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  6. Alex 18 February 2015 at 02:12

    Brenda, that cake is the essence of yum! Yes, we should 'layer' our days and lives ~ and draw inspiration from all the different flavours. And not to forget the sprinkles of laughter on top!!
    x

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  7. Linda18 February 2015 at 04:06

    Oh, I LOVE it, Brenda! Wishing you a delicious day filled with many delectable layers!
    I think I will have cake for breakfast before I'm off to work! Lol
    Linda at Beautiful Ideas

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  8. Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie18 February 2015 at 12:14

    That layered cake looks so delicious....I think I would have to layer my day around slices of cake! Lol! Having a whole cake around is dangerous for me. :) I love your thoughts on layering our days. Today I am taking the dog to the vet, which is always rather unpleasant, so I think I will have to layer the rest of the day with something lovely and nice - maybe I will plant those wildflower seeds I've been meaning to get to. I will remember my little 'reward' later this spring when they all bloom. I think I will incorporate layering into all my days - thank you for the dear thoughts today, Brenda! Hope your day includes something wonderful! Hugs xo Karen

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  9. Dawn Y.18 February 2015 at 13:01

    What a sweet metaphor, Brenda! Taking time to enjoy the 'layers' of each day truly makes a rich life! Enjoy! ♡

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  10. Linda18 February 2015 at 13:26

    I like the idea of layering my days. Right now they are more like a sheet cake, with icing of course, so it's not to bland. It's cold here now, so I'm staying in a lot. Soon I'll add more layers, though.

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  11. Evelyn19 February 2015 at 11:12

    This was very inspiring, I loved it.
    Evelyn

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  12. Deborah Montgomery19 February 2015 at 16:49

    I love what you're layering your life with, it sounds like a delicious variety. I promise myself a treat, like reading a chapter, if I do a little housework, or a tea break if I take care of an annoying chore. It's nice to think of layering in the sweetness!
    And in this cold, I'm dressing in lots of layers! haha

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  13. jp@A Green Ridge21 February 2015 at 14:49

    Layering, whether in life or when baking, makes us discover new things and ways of handling them....:)JP

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  14. Nwamaka Onyekachi27 February 2015 at 06:01

    Layers in the adventures of life's discovery. Very inspiring.

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To My Beautiful Readers,

Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same. ~ Franz Peter Schubert

Thank you so much for leaving your 'footprint' here in my comment box. I do appreciate you taking a moment to share your thoughts today.

Brenda xo