Recipe for success
Recipes are time-tested formulae for consistent results. Given the same ingredients in correct proportion are prepared in the manner instructed, the results should be more or less identical. Inconsistent results are likely due to a divergence, intended or otherwise, from the recipe: Ovens are not the same temperature, the humidity is higher, people live at different altitudes.
Understanding why results differ often requires understanding the ingredients more fully. When making bread, like I did today, I used all-purpose flour instead of bread flour, water instead of milk and didn’t include any eggs or sugar. Knowing the basics of bread ingredients explains why my bread has a good chance of turning out the way it did.
Recipes for life do not always produce such uniform outcomes. There cannot be a cookie-cutter approach to careers, relationships, families, grief and loss. Following certain steps cannot be guaranteed to have one arrive at their goal.
Recipe book = 1
Self-help library = 0
