When we’re in search of something important, we often overlook it even when it’s right in front of our eyes. This is especially true for those who are searching for their purpose, dream job, and ideal life. We tend to look around at what’s working for everyone else instead of looking deep inside to see the strengths and talents God specifically gave us. Once we discover our unique design, it seems so simple. But, the work is in the honest self-reflection AND the daily talks with God.
Our guest blogger today is Magdaline Makris of Mommy’s Kitchen. She, too, looked up, down, and around for what was within her from the very beginning. Now, she’s operating in her gifting and hopes that you will be fortunate enough to do the same.
Hello Woman, Live! and welcome to my blogging journey. I must say it was a bumpy road to here, but I’m here and I’m loving it!
Most people know their dream job at an early age and I was one of those people, until things in my life took a different turn.
When something seems simple we tend to ignore it, unintentionally. This is what I did for many years.
Coming from a Greek culture, cooking and communicating was in my blood. When I was growing up, my mom was queen in her kitchen and it showed in everything she cooked. She just loved cooking up a storm for her family. I was the oldest of three kids so I was taught as early as 13 years old. I was her right hand in the kitchen. As the years passed, I collected most of her recipes and those of other relatives in the family.
My dad, on the other hand, never knew what the inside of a kitchen looked like. But, he did have entrepreneurial skills and talent that he passed on to all his children. The knowledge we obtained from him was not found in any university class or any corporate seminar. He was our first business mentor.
Over the years, I acquired business skills, a talent for communicating with people, collected many recipes, and wrote many articles but everything was scattered.
In search of my perfect career, I held positions in marketing, promotions, sales, and web design. I even became an ESL teacher (which I hated). I was going nowhere fast. I was a girl in search of ‘the good life’. I was a girl with her mother’s culinary expertise & dad’s entrepreneurial skills. That’s it.
Then I had a big turning point in my life. My dad became ill with lung cancer, this felt like a dead end for me. Everything in my life was at a standstill. I kept catching myself reminiscing of the endless times I had spent with my dad and those never-ending talks about determination, will and persistence to achieve.
“Determination. Will. Persistence. These are the ingredients for life,” my father would say.
My dad was a man who had little formal education and yet he built an empire all by himself. He immigrated to the US with nothing more than the clothes on his back to build a better life for himself and for his family and that’s exactly what he did. Nothing came easy. He jumped many hurdles and always made it to the finish the line. He was a true believer of entrepreneurship. An immigrant who didn’t speak the language and yet communicated very well with everyone that surrounded him to the point of having dedicated customers who would become lifelong friends…this was my first business class.
About a month before my dad passed away, I heard a little voice in my head telling me, “Do what you do best.”
What is that exactly?
What do I do so well?
I’m just a girl with her mother’s culinary expertise & dad’s entrepreneurial skills. That’s it.
While cooking over the stove one day, everything played through my head like a movie…the time I spent cooking with my mom, the time I spent watching my dad conduct business. I felt compelled to honor my dad.
But, how?I thought to myself.
I can’t even find a way to pursue my dream job.I’m just a girl with her mother’s culinary expertise & her dad’s entrepreneurial skills. That’s it.
Wait.
That’s it!
I whipped out a pen & paper, began to write & Mommy’s Kitchen was born.
After creating Mommy’s Kitchen, I still wasn’t 100% sure this was it.
One day I shared the recipe for my dad’s infamous New York hot dogs with onions. That blog post wasn’t just about hot dogs. No. It was about destiny. It was about going after your dreams and living a life you can be proud of. My dad did that.
This blog post was the confirmation I needed. I knew, right away, that Mommy’s Kitchen was my dream job. And, just like my dad, I hope that I, too, will build my empire with Determination, Will & Persistence.
Thank you all for inspiring me daily.
I hope will encourage you to look within for your star power. In pursuit of your dream career/life, don’t overlook or diminish who you are at your core and what you already know.
G’day Great post and great recipe! Congrats!
Cheers! Joanne
Pinned #ibablogggers
LikeLike
Thanks for this nice post. Congrats!
#ibabloggers
LikeLike
Congratulations on your first post here! #ibabloggers
LikeLike
Praise God for what He leads us to do!! Love the post and can’t wait to read more in the future!! My blog is over at http://www.tigerstrypes.com – come on over and comment on some of my posts. 🙂 #Thanks #ibabloggers
LikeLike
Great guest post and congratulations on your first post. #ibabloggers
LikeLike
Thank You everyone for the lovely comments, you have no idea how happy you have made me. 🙂
LikeLike
This is my new site:
http://momzcuisine.blogspot.gr/
LikeLike
So inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing.
LikeLike
Love reading about those beginning journeys. I definitely struggle with missing obvious things xD lol. It’s so important to really reflect on what bring us to who we are today 🙂
LikeLike
Yes. It should be a daily discipline to look back with introspection and praise and look forward with discernment and hope.
LikeLike
Great message – that ‘future’ we’re looking for is probably right in front of us. Keep trying to find that career I’m called to, but it’s probably not as far away as it seems.
LikeLike
Thank You everyone 🙂 It took me a few years before I realized and I’m really happy and grateful that I have stumbled upon my niche. I wake up with a suisnemile and that is very important in today’s world.
http://www.momzcuisine.com
LikeLike
No Kathryn, it’s not. If you want help gaining clarity, message me on our Facebook page. We can do a free 30 min. jumpstart session.
LikeLike
Great Post, congrats on your very 1st post here!
LikeLike
Thank you my new year is looking brighter !!!
LikeLike
What a great post! Thanks for linking up with Motivational Monday!
LikeLike
Such a neat story to read! I think your dad was spot on with his quote about life. I am so glad you have been able to honor your dad and incorporate what your parents taught you!
Thanks for sharing at our link up over at True Agape!
LikeLike
Thank you ladies. 🙂
LikeLike
What a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty – we hope to see you again next week.
Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai
LikeLike
Thanks, it’s a very special story for me. 🙂
LikeLike
I love the ingredients of life. So true! Thanks for sharing at Women With Intention Wednesdays. I look forward to seeing what you share this week!
LikeLike
What an inspirational story! Thank you for sharing it in the Inspire Me Monday link up :).
LikeLike
I have heard of Magdaline’s story before, but it is always encouraging. Often times we are in search of the perfect thing, but often times our passions shift as things in our lives do. I love the story of finding something that works for her.
Thank you for linking up over at True Agape’s monthly motivation!
LikeLike
You are all so very welcome, it’s a story from the heart!!
LikeLike
Well, well well!
Nice “meeting” you, Magdaline!
It seems you are on a beautiful journey! Live and enjoy the path so that your destination is a wonderful harbor.
All my best to you!
LikeLike
Thank You Katina 🙂 It’s a beautiful and thearapeautic path.
@Themadmommy – It was my pleasure looking forward to more of your linky parties.
LikeLike
Great post! Thank you for sharing your story and inspiration with us at the #SmallVictoriesSundayLinkup!
LikeLike