Pressure Cookers and life

Today I learned a life lesson from my pressure cooker.

Now as a southern cook, I love my pressure cooker. I use is often because I usually have to buy the cheaper cuts of meat to save money. However, with the pressure cooker, I have found most if not all the meat I cook comes out flavorful and completely tender.

As I set it up today to cook a rather large piece of brisket, I started with all my spices and liquid. Then I placed the mean in the center and sealed it. I then found the pressure thinggy to put on the top. I have three sizes so I have to always wonder which one is the best.

As I sat and waited for the pressure to build up so I could time it, I found myself thinking about my life and how much pressure I am under almost every hour of every day.

Unlike the pressure cooker, I sometimes forget to let the steam that builds up within me to come out. I let it continue to build and build until I finally explode.

So, what if I actually allow others to know that I'm stressed, that what they are doing or saying is beginning to build up pressure within me. I really don't think they do it on purpose or that they know how badly I really am effected by their words or deeds. They don't know that I need to let some of the steam out before something terrible happens.

So, here's my pressure cooker experiment. I think next time I start feeling like things are building up, instead of internalizing it, I will let it out slowly, maybe in spurts like my pressure cooker does. Then maybe when it is over and all the pressure and steam is released, what will be left is a better, more seasoned me.