just because it has always been this way…
A friend of mine recently told me this story, primarily due to our conversation being centered around, ”just because things have always been done this way, doesn’t mean it’s right”.
Sally was slaving away, cooking Thanksgiving dinner when her brother, Jim, soon approached and asked, “why do you cut both ends off the ham?” Sally, stunned from such a simple question, states, “I am not sure; I believe it cooks best, but mainly because mom always cooked it this way.”
Sally quickly thinks, let’s go ask mom…”Mom, why did you always cut both ends off the ham prior to cooking it?” Mom replies, “It cooks better; I think.” ”We should ask your grandmother; Nana, why did you always cut both ends off the ham prior to cooking it?” Nana in her grace, “It cooks best when they are cut and helps the heat get in. However, I have never asked the question and since Granie’s here, let’s confirm that.” ”Granie, why did you always cut both ends off the ham prior to cooking it?”
And Granie being the simple woman, “it wouldn’t fit in the pan, so I cut both ends off, shoved it in the pan & to the oven it went.”
What a great illustration of people following along like simple minded sheep. Do you ask questions? Do you challenge ideas that just don’t seem to jive? Are you affraid of conflict?
The busy days of life, family, constant connections, work, social clicks, etc…can surely keep your brain stimulated. Questioning tradition or changing something that has always been done a certain way, may be challenging, but worth the short term research.
live for your Karma!
on July 24, 2009 at 4:13 am
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Thanks for posting about this, I would like to read more about this topic.