The Sweet Potato Lady Knows Best

Have you ever gone shopping for one thing but came home later with something very different than you originally expected?
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A couple weeks ago at the farmer's market, I was singing my songs, playing my ukulele and enjoying the beautiful spring-like weather when I noticed a middle-aged woman stop about 15 feet away to listen to the music. When the song finished, she came over to me smiling and held up a wad of $1 bills so I could see it clearly.

"I came here to buy sweet potatoes," she said. "This is my sweet potato money. But your voice is so sweet and put me in such a good mood, that I'm gonna give it to you instead."

I was both touched and torn.

"Oh no! I can't take your sweet potato money!" I said.

But she wouldn't be persuaded.

"Honey, you have given me a beautiful gift with your music. I can buy sweet potatoes another time. THIS was what I really needed today. Thank you."

This brief encounter has stuck with me over the past few weeks because I think it's a beautiful reminder that sometimes you THINK you need one thing, when you're really searching for something else. You may not even know what it is until you stumble upon it.

In my own daily life, I'm almost halfway through my first ever pregnancy, and boy is this experience teaching me a lot about slowing down to notice those deeper needs and fulfilments--body and soul--this is something I've practiced for years, but apparently I also needed bouts of morning sickness and acid reflux to slow me down enough to fully embrace it.

What I love most about reflecting on the sweet potato lady's story is seeing her joy in letting go of her original intent once she realized that she had received what she needed in that moment after all.

AND I still hope she got her sweet potatoes eventually!

What deeper fulfilment might you be searching for today? And would you be open to finding something unexpected?

With gratitude,

Ashley

P.S. I've got two unexpected shows this weekend at Portobello's (Bocage) - March 15th & 16th! Come dine with us and enjoy the music. Details here.