Don't eat soup with a Fork

Don’t Eat Soup with a Fork

The first available answer is usually the one we run with.

That’s worth talking about.

It’s not a new thought, but it’s one we rarely slow down to examine.

One book that did shift how I think was Flow by Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

He talks about the “optimal experience” — that sweet spot of being completely immersed in whatever you’re doing.
Whether you’re milking a cow or dodging bullets in a warzone, if your attention locks in, that thing becomes your reality.

But getting into that state? It takes practice.
Most people never make it that far, because they’re still fumbling with the tools (like building a blog lolll) — or worse, using the wrong ones entirely.

Like eating soup with a fork.

You don’t, right?
You use a spoon.

But... when did you learn that?
I bet you can’t even remember.

But, Neither can I. lol

That’s how deep repetition goes.
It builds silent rules that run your life without asking for permission.

You’ve heard the phrase “stay positive.”

But here’s the thing — (to me) most people misinterpret it.
They think it means “everything must always feel good.”

But the world is made of a mix with people in it.
And people are unpredictable.

So even if you show up with 1,000% positivity, the outcome won’t always match that energy.
It’s not your fault. It’s just how the system works.

So... what does “stay positive” really mean?

To me?

It means repetition.

Repetition is the real interpretation of “stay positive.”

It’s the mother of learning.
It’s how we form habits, addictions, reflexes, instincts.
It’s how explosions are timed inside an engine to make a car move.

Repetition is life’s hidden language.

And when it comes to your mindset, what you repeat is what sticks.

Let’s go back to the soup for a second.

You’re a toddler. Hungry. There’s a bowl of soup in front of you.
A spoon on the left. A fork on the right. You’re right-handed.

Naturally, you go for the fork.
You try to stab the soup. A few drops make it to your mouth.

You taste something... but it’s frustrating.
You’re on the edge of tears.

Then — BOOM — you grab the spoon.
And it works.

And at that moment, it’s not just a utensil.
It’s a breakthrough.

The spoon fed you.
The spoon saved you.

You repeat. Again and again.
And the loop is born.

That’s what staying positive is like.

The spoon was positive.
The fork was not.

But here’s the twist:

The spoon isn’t always right.

Try eating spaghetti with it. 😭

Same thing happened there.
One day, a spoon didn’t work. You cried again.

You tried the fork — and BOOM — it worked this time.

So you switched.

Not because someone gave you a rulebook, but because you remembered the last thing that worked.

That’s what we do every day — mentally, emotionally, socially.

We repeat what worked last time.

If screaming worked last time, you might scream again — even if it wasn’t the best move.

So when you hear “stay positive,” realize that it’s not just a cute saying.
It’s a practice.
A loop.
A mindset muscle.

If your last reaction to stress was shouting, you’ll probably repeat that
— unless you consciously choose something different.
Again, and again, and again — until it sticks.

So ask yourself:

• Why did I react that way?
• Was that really me, or just a loop playing out?
• Was that spoon actually meant for this kind of soup?
• Do I even like how I’ve been eating lately — or reacting lately?

And the real question:

When did you learn to eat soup with a spoon?