Life Lessons - What Can the Boiling of Milk Teach Us?
It's better to wait than regret
What decision did you make and regret the most?
Was it carefully thought or just a reaction out of your emotion?
Sometimes, carefully thought reactions can go awry–sometimes, that’s a rare steak.
However, actions carried out in a hurry or with bursts of emotions always go awry.
Why?
Well, it’s because—
Okay, let’s see it through an example–the example of boiling milk.
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What can the boiling of milk teach us about life?
Boiling milk is an everyday task in an Indian household. We’re the world's #1 producer and consumer of cow’s milk.
Most household women stand before the gas stove daily to boil raw milk for later use. It’s a task that requires great patience.
It requires them to pivot their focus entirely on this task; otherwise, one second of distraction can overflow the hardly earned liquid for everyday life’s regular drinks, such as tea.
However, those ladies have perfected themselves so much that they can multi-task.
Yet, it does require focus.
Once the task is completed, they wait again to finally use it for different reasons.
But what does it teach us other than just being patient?
Well, it teaches us the art of effective action—the art that can yield great results without us being fooled by our emotions.
Have you ever noticed that we can only use milk before and after it has been completely boiled?
Before and after–not in the middle of the boiling task.
Not when the milk is finally in the state of being completely boiled.
Why?
Because if we try to take out the milk in the final stage, we’ll only take half of the milk.
The rest will be filled with bubbles.
However, if we let the milk boil and wait for it to completely boil and settle down, we’ll get not only the milk but also the cream.
The same is true with our actions.
If we take an action that’s in the state of gurgitation–the state where the rise of emotions is on a high, the result will only yield bubbles.
Lots of mistakes, fights, and dire consequences.
But, if we let our emotions settle down and then take action, it might end well with excellent results.
Yes, it’s not certain that it would meet 100% our expectations, but there will be less of a drama and shit show.
Boiling milk is an ordinary task. However, it teaches us one of the significant lessons of life.
Now, it’s up to you whether you will take out the gurgitating milk or let it cool down to enjoy both the milk and the cream.
Mind, Soul, Body, and the Breath is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.