The other day, I had an awesome daddy/daughter moment while making the two of us lunch. The story begins - as most stories related to fixing my kids meals - with my daughter's oh-woe-is-me protestations that we had nothing good to eat in the house. (Like I never heard that one before.) To which I most assuredly replied that indeed we had plenty of great fixings, and I'd prove it by making us a glorious feast of tuna salad sandwiches, pickles, chips and a frosty ice cold mug of chocolate milk (I know, like awesome, right!). Even better, we will make our meal together, with her helping to fix the tuna salad, just the way she likes it.
Now, fast forward to her scooping the tuna out of the can; plunking it into a bowl, and stopping to ask how much mayo she should mix with the tuna. Great question, says I. But instead of giving her my answer, I suggested the answer depends on her, and whether she likes her tuna more moist, or more dry. After a moment or two of reflection, she says with a matter-of-fact confidence: "Well, I better error on the side of less, 'cause I can't take out the mayo once I've mixed it in." True that, said I. True that.
After hearing her remark on the merits of measured progress, I commented on her thoughtful observation, as I am prone to do (the downside of having a dad who likes to think he's as deep as Plato). In fact, I couldn't help but discuss with her the wisdom in her words, and how they applied to life, in general. Indeed, if you think about it, there is a great parallel with regard to fixing a good tuna salad and dealing with the realities and surrealities of life.
As with both, it's best to go slow and steady and measured when it comes to dumping/adding/mixing stuff into other stuff that can't be un-dumped/un-added/un-mixed. When in doubt with combining ingredients - be that with food, business, work or life - be cool; go easy; take your time; don't rush it. Especially if you can't undo the combination, and aren't so certain as to how the combination is going to taste, post fusion. As the oldie but goodie expression goes: better safe, than sorry.
Oh, and just in case your tuna salad (either real or metaphorical) doesn't go as planned, be sure to have some ice cream on hand. After all, everything goes better with ice cream. Everything.
Measured Progress (and ice cream) is Good.