Just Crack the Egg Once

Taro: Jenn, I see you're just standing here in the kitchen holding an egg.

Jenn: Yes, I'm thinking about something.

Taro: Well, why don't you stop thinking and whip up a fluffy scrambled egg snack for me?

Jenn: No, not yet. I want to say something about the egg. This egg reminds me of when I used to be the Tenzo or Head Cook where I did my Zen training. We used to have a saying: Just crack the egg once. In other words, don't be tentative, don't hesitate or over-think things. Drop the doubt and just go for it. Sometimes a cook would tap, tap, tap the egg around the edge of the bowl before it finally broke open. Sometimes, a cook would be too hesitant the first time and would need another crack at it. Or, sometimes would be too impatient or heavy handed and smash the egg down on the edge of the pan causing a huge mess everywhere. It’s a matter of moderation and balance. We used to say to them "just take a breath and crack the egg once."

Taro: That's deep, Jenn.

Jenn: Sometimes when I see an egg now, it reminds me to consider if there's anything that's causing me to tap around the edges. Something I haven't quite determined or committed to.

Taro: There is.

Jenn: Are you serious? What is it?

Taro: It's me.

Jenn: You? What do you mean?

Taro: Just crack the egg once, Jenn. Commit and make that omelette for me. You’re welcome.