#38 A Pancake Story

I know somebody who has a truly special way of celebrating life. What makes it so extraordinary is that a very specific set of circumstances must come together to culminate in this moment of celebration. These instances are rare. And they are unique each time. They demand hard work and even greater patience. But, when the stars align, and life couldn’t be more perfect, this person chooses to celebrate with something beautifully simple: Pancakes.

Today, I am going to share his story. I will explain why it is so inspirational and why each of us needs a pancake story in our own lives.

The Pancake Story - Dreams Can Come True

Since he was a boy, my friend dreamed of a life as a surfer. Captivated by the sense of freedom and joy that riding a wave embodies, he chose a life far away from home to follow his passion for the ocean.

Many, many years have passed. Years filled with days of disappointment and sacrifice, moments of doubts and despair. Long winters without waves and even longer summers confined behind a desk. He spent countless hours watching surf videos and reading articles about his idols, like free super legend Dave Rastovich.

Chasing his dream came at a high price. Believing in the thing that truly makes his heart beat faster asked him to take risks and sometimes brought pain and loss.

But no matter how dark some days were, the flame inside of him always burned.

And regardless of how small the flame became due to the weight of life, feeling like it was sucking away the oxygen needed to feel the fire, a gaze at the ocean, one wave, one good ride was enough to reignite it.

Three decades of dedication, practice, failure, and learning later, my friend has arrived at a place where he can live his deep connection with the ocean.

And still, there are days when things don't work out. When surf sessions are frustrating. When he fails and falls. When the merciless power of the wave seizes him, lifting him up only to cast him down, plunging him deep underwater, reminding him of our human insignificance.

But then...

But then, there are also these other moments. There are these moments when everything seems to be aligned just the way it should be. When nature and humans find themselves in a harmonious collaboration.

When it’s only him, the board, and the ocean.

When Mother Nature allows him to harness the energy of the wave and feel the vibration of the ocean resonate through his body. A moment when she asks him to be fully present and to trust his intuition.

A moment when time stands still.

When he is free of all worries. Leaving behind no worldly distractions.

Surrounded by a fusion of vibrant blues and whites, eyes focused on the way ahead, the world around him seems to blur.

Stoked by the sensory overload of this magic moment riding a wave, his eyes will spark throughout the morning. His heart ignited. His soul serene.

He immerses himself in this delightful feeling, choosing solitude to relish every second of this profound feeling.

With every cell in his body content, striking a blissful balance of exhilarating excitement and calm serenity, he loves celebrating this moment with a special breakfast: pancakes.

And to him, these simple pancakes are the most delicious thing in the world.

A dish that couldn’t be simpler. Yet, for him, the sweetness of the pancakes mirrors the sweetness of this moment in life.

So there he sits, sometimes alone, sometimes with a fellow surfer, in transcendent harmony, savoring his pancakes.

In this very moment, everything he has ever dreamed of has come true.

What Is So Special About This?

These pancakes taste delicious solely because of every single experience that has led him to this point. The ability to sit at a table after a morning surf on a tropical island and eat pancakes took him more than 40 years of following his heart. This takes guts. It takes a strong will and even stronger resilience and patience.

And nothing will ever taste more delicious than these pancakes.

Each time I have the opportunity to witness my friend in his very special moment, I am reminded of what true contentment looks like. And through his pancake moments, I have learned to understand what it takes to live a fulfilled life.

The pancakes in this story are more than just a few simple ingredients mixed together and cooked in a pan. These pancakes symbolize having a vision of how you want your life to be and tenaciously following its path.

What Makes a Pancake Story & Why You Should Have One

The significance of my friend's story is that he found something that genuinely brings him happiness. He courageously treads this path and demonstrates that even simple things - like pancakes - can make something perfect.

So, what does it take to have a Pancake Story?

You must find something that:

1. Is hard to achieve

Instant gratification undermines true fulfillment. If it’s too easily acquired - and I’d even argue, if it’s purchasable with money - it won’t evoke the same feeling as something earned through hard work.

2. Can’t be planned and embraces an element of luck

It is the unpredictable that adds magic to experiences. We are accustomed to believing we control our surroundings, but that’s an illusion. If we discover something that compels us to rely on chance and embrace opportunities, life will reveal marvelous surprises. When we cultivate the faith that things can align, we simultaneously cultivate trust in life itself.

3. Requieres tenacity and patience

Surfing and Pilates share a common thread: they are lifelong journeys. Regardless of how long you’ve practiced them, there is always something new to discover, and precisely, this novelty will make you stronger and better. This journey demands tenacity and patience.

4. You love doing when nobody is watching you

Much of what we do, we do for attention, status, power, or money. Yet, none of these pursuits could ever create a pancake story. Discovering something that truly ignites your soul in the moment you engage in it. Something that, in its absence, creates a yearning so profound that it hurts. Something that holds enough value to justify surrendering material possessions.

Find something...

Find something that brings you true happiness. Be prepared to make sacrifices for it, and be aware that you might let others down.

Find something that fills your heart with light. Even if it means crossing through darkness first and even if it means loss.

Find something that breathes life into your soul. Remain strong when life calls for its trade-off because within the darkness of death lies the seed of rebirth.

Go on your unique quest.

For it is the only way to find your pancake story.

For it is the pathway to happiness.

So, what is your pancake story?