1 . Believe it or not, a foodie friend of mine asked me whether I’d seen the TV series Chef’s Table. Of course, I hadn’t because I’m not that into food. But I do get hungry for adventure sometimes, so I decided to watch the show.
This is when I was introduced to the chef Francis Mallmann. He makes choices; he doesn’t plan. When he was young, he looked for instructors and experiences, not books or paths. He honored his roots but enjoyed the world and sought things and places he didn’t know. He doesn’t cling to one lifestyle and he doesn’t bend to expectations.
This made me wonder: Aren’t we supposed to assess risks, have a plan and then make our move? I grew up thinking I had to have a plan and have long-term stability in front of me. When I saw Mallmann doing what makes him happy, everything changed.
I thought to myself, “That’s how we’re supposed to live.” Being true to myself. I have already reconciled (和解) with the shame of being inspired by a TV show. Mallmann is inspired by nature, food and language. Me? My life-changing moment came from watching Netflix with my dollar store reading glasses on. No wonder I felt slightly unfulfilled.
After watching Mallmann, I felt as if I’d stood up from a cozy fireplace and the blanket of my life just fell to the ground.
I submitted my leave of absence application to my employer less than a month later. I’m now full of excitement. I’m leaving my job and a good salary, and I’m going to do things that feed my soul.
Michael Kernis and Brian Goldman, psychologists at Clayton State University in Georgia, studied the benefits of authenticity (真实性) and being true to yourself. Some of the benefits of following your inner voice include enjoying a strong sense of purpose in life, greater confidence, healthier relationships and strong skills to deal with change or difficulty.
So, if you’re out there living an interesting life and you meet Mallmann, throw one of his burnt potatoes at him for me. And then tell him I say thank you. I might soon be hungrier and poorer than I was before, but at least I’ll be staying true to who I am. I have Mallmann to thank for that.
1. What can we know about Francis Mallmann?| A．He chooses to do things he is sure of. |
| B．He never changes his lifestyle. |
| C．He suggests people stick to recipes. |
| D．He often tries new things. |
| A．stood up from a cozy fireplace |
| B．became interested in cooking |
| C．reflected on her own lifestyle |
| D．began to make a plan for the future |
| A．To prove that confidence affects one’s lifestyle. |
| B．To analyze how a challenging life benefits people. |
| C．To stress the advantages of following one’s heart. |
| D．To give tips on how to deal with change or difficulty. |
| A．To tell readers how to find purpose in life. |
| B．To introduce Mallmann and his lifestyle. |
| C．To encourage readers to stay true to themselves. |
| D．To teach readers to react to changes positively. |
