I made some kimchi recently. Okay... my mother-in-law and wife made kimchi, and I help a little.

But as I was watching the kimchi-making process, I got to thinking about "Sonmat". "Sonmat" is one of those Kerean words that is impossible to translate into English.

Sonmat is the hidden ingredient, the symbolic thing you do the effort and the heart behind what you do. The ingredients are crucial but that unseen element adds to the end product (final result). Literally translated, "sonmat" means "hand-flavor", but it’s NOT something that can be measured scientifically. Some food tastes better because of the love and that went into the preparing... that went into the cooking. It’s also the experience that the cook has.

Well, as I was thinking this special ingredient that often goes into cooking, I thought about how it could be applied to pretty much anything you do...(It could be used in may different solutions)

The cleaning.

The work you do.

The studying.

The writing.

The ... ANYTHING.

Why should that magical ingredient be limited to just food? Why not all things that we do?

Talk about it

1. What does "sonmat" mean to you?

2. Can you compare your mother cooking with that of a restaurant?

3. Why do you think they taste different?

4. How do you feel after you make a homemade meal?

5. Do you feel good when people compliment you on your cooking?

6. Do you get a sense of satisfaction in doing something for yourself?

7. How could you apply "sonmat" to things not related to cooking? Use your imagination.

8. Are we in danger of losing "sonmat" due to our busy lifestyles?

9. What can we do to ensure that we include "sonma" in our lives?

10. How important is "sonmat" to you?

11. The amount of effort involved is what gives meaning to a gift? How important is this effort to you?