I was watching ‘Down To Earth’ with Zac Efron last night on Netflix and there was a segment where they were dining at a Michelin star restaurant in Finland. The chef was giving a brief on a reindeer entree he was about to serve, and explained how each year there is a raffle in which you go into the draw to win the right to hunt a reindeer. Once you’ve won the raffle you are allowed to hunt the reindeer in a certain area, during a specified timeframe, which helps in the prevention of population collapse, while still honouring a culturally significant delicacy. The chef hunted the reindeer for 70km, then carried it out himself, prepared it and served it to the patrons of the restaurant.

This story shed light on a range of different facets I found interesting. Like respect for our environment, while still trying to uphold age old traditions, drive, passion, and skill. The chef was deeply connected to both cooking, but also to the food he was serving. It was an amazing tale and one that shows a deeply connected person, who has both an innate sense of instinctual pursuit, a passion for high quality food, creativity, a respect for our environment, balanced with respect for culture, as well as a drive to create experiences that take people on a journey.

There is something to be said in the above pursuit of adventure and the drive to deliver an experience that moves people, while embracing culture, culinary expertise and an assortment of collective facets that contribute to a high level outcome. The story was amazing and truly inspirational, however, it was the deep respect for a the collective goal that really moved me and within his deep connection for the reindeer, the hunt, the respect for the culture, while embracing it all into creating a tangible experience for all to enjoy.

Being able to have a passion that may have points of contradiction, or elements of controversy, but still being able to find a balance between both sides, is an art in itself, and when you can find balance within counter intuitive or objective points of reference, you can enter the break line. While embracing both sides, you will find yourself in a unique position in which you can combine and display both Yin and Yang from a neutral point of view, which contributes strongly in our search for happiness.

Thanks,

Dean