Take Two—10/23/2025
Ideas and inspiration for a life less ordinary.
October 23, 2025
Words to Wonder:
When Life Serves You Crisco
“Disappointment is the ache of unmet expectation—and an invitation to awaken new dreams and travel farther than you ever planned to go.”
Perspectives to Ponder
From the time I was a kid, I loved cherry pie—the flaky crust, the mix of sweet and tart cherries, pure perfection. Unfortunately, cherry pies were rare in our house, as rare as solar eclipses or winning lottery tickets.
One afternoon after school, rummaging through the cupboards for something to eat, I spotted what looked like a cherry pie in a can. It didn’t make sense, but there it was—a bright blue label with a picture of a golden-baked cherry pie practically begging me to open it.
Curiosity (and hunger) won. I peeled back the lid, ready to enjoy a rare treat—only to find a white, pasty substance staring back at me. I convinced myself it must be some kind of astronaut food—a space-age cherry pie reimagined for the modern snacker. So, naturally, I grabbed a spoon and took a big bite.
It was awful, possibly the worst thing I’ve ever tasted. To say I was disappointed is an understatement—a memory that still lingers today, equal parts comedy and cautionary tale.
Years later, I discovered that the “pie” in a can was actually Crisco—lard used to make pie crusts, not pies. Oh, the evils of advertising.
We all face disappointment. No one is spared. We’re disappointed by people, by circumstances, and sometimes most of all, by ourselves. For some, disappointment becomes a way of life—something inescapable. But we needn’t let it derail or drag us down.
So what do we do when disappointment crashes through the door, uninvited and unwelcome? Here are three practices that help me keep it in perspective:
Shift the story. Disappointment lives in the gap between what we imagined and what actually is. When you shift from what’s missing to what could be, its hold begins to fade.
Practice gratitude in the gap. Instead of wallowing in disappointment, take a few moments to name the things you're grateful for right now. Gratitude counters disappointment if we give it the opportunity to compete.
Separate outcome from effort. You can do everything right and still not get the result you want—that doesn’t make the effort meaningless. With the Crisco encounter, my curiosity didn’t pay off—but so many other times, it has.
Disappointment is inevitable. Defeat is optional. Each time we face it with honesty, reflection, and perspective, we take what's undesirable and let it refine us.
So the next time life serves you a can of Crisco when you were expecting cherry pie, smile — and remember: the ingredients for joy are still in the cupboard, waiting to be found.
THINGS WORTH THINKING ABOUT
Wayne Dyer on what comes out when life squeezes you → Watch on TikTok
Instructions for Living a Life by Mary Oliver
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.
19 DAYS TO GO — Words to Wonder
I’ve already read and reread this book half a dozen times. I can’t wait to finally share it.
LIFE LESSONS IN A LINE
BEFORE YOU GO
Disappointment has a way of disrupting our days and distracting us from what truly matters.
But it doesn’t get the last word—not unless we let it. I hope you meet whatever disappointments you encounter this week with perspective and the quiet confidence that for every can of Crisco, there’s a cherry pie waiting to be found.
Stay inspired by the life you’re living,
Kevin
P.S. Know someone who could use a spark of inspiration for a life less ordinary? Share this newsletter and brighten their week.