The Perfect Carrot

What is perfection?  Depends on who you ask I suppose. It also depends on if you are in what is called the “Western” or “Eastern” world (is there someone in the middle that defines those directions?)

• In general, really general terms, a “Westerner” would likely (but not exclusively) be focused on perfection as a state of flawlessness.
• In those same really general terms, an “Easterner” would probably see perfection as a state of balance.

There’s really only one perfect way to debate this (with myself) - through the eyes of the perfect vegetable: the carrot.

The carrot, it seems, is seasonal. Surprised me, as there always seem to be carrots around. But recently (mid-October in these here parts) every vegetable distributor has ugly, old, tasteless carrots.

There’s nothing more delicious than a raw, delicious, fresh, flavorful carrot. You may disagree, but free will allows everyone the chance to be wrong if they wish.

In the magical world of carrots, there are a number of philosophical schools of thoughts as to how to cultivate the perfect carrot. As any farmer will tell you, it depends on whether you plant your carrot at the west end or the east end of your garden. :)

Planting Carrots at the East End of the Garden

So, you decided to plant your carrots in the eastern half of your garden? Well, according to the Eastern Carrot Farmer Initiative (which I completely invented) your perfect carrot is a product of:

A perfect carrot comes from patience, care, and respect — it shows good character. - Confucius

The best carrots grow strong in tough soil — struggle makes them better. - Mencius

Don’t force it — let the carrot grow how it wants. Nature knows what it’s doing. - Laozi

The perfect carrot is the one you grow mindfully — noticing every moment. - Buddha

West Wing Carrot Cultivation

If, on the other hand, you are prone to spill your carrot seeds at the western end of your garden, you’re likely to achieve the perfect carrot like this:

Somewhere there’s a perfect, ideal carrot — ours just try to copy it. - Plato

A perfect carrot is one that fully becomes what a carrot is meant to be. - Aristotle

A perfect carrot is one grown out of duty and respect for nature, not for profit. - Immanuel Kant

The perfect carrot doesn’t care about rules — it grows bold and wild. - Nietzsche

So the next time you’re faced with the glorious opportunity to contemplate (and consume) carrots….. consider what makes them perfect.

And what makes me insane.  :)