The agricultural cycle has been depicted in paintings, textiles, sculptures, ceramics and other artistic expressions throughout the ages all over the world. In Asia Rice is intricately linked to the spiritual beliefs and practices of the people as that which sustains of life. It is regarded as a gift of the gods.

In many countries, festivals take place each year in celebration of this basic but extremely important food element. In Javanese mythology, for instance, Dewi Sri, the rice goddess plays an important role in the culture, bestowing the sacred grain to humans and filling them with abundance, fertility and prosperity. In many countries around the world, the harvesting of rice coincides with a time of plenty when the gifts of the earth are shared.

Today, as I prepared my asparagus and shrimp risotto, I was mindful of the importance of this food element to many peoples of the world and felt grateful for the abundance of food at this table and that of my table at home. I felt grateful for the abundance and quality of my friendships throughout the world, I felt grateful for the abundance of passion I find in my food creation and I felt grateful for the abundance of reverence I hold for each food element, respecting its origin and its living sacrifice.

For me, abundance is love, an overflowing fullness of the heart. Each grain of rice is a gift that reminds me to search for this fullness through love and the giving of love.