7 Nov - WOD

"Chicken and Waffles"

If I recall correctly... 10 years ago was the approximate first time I'd heard of the popular Los Angeles restaurant, Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles. At the time, I remember thinking to myself "that’s a strange combination". Surely I'd heard of fried chicken and French fries or even sausage, eggs and waffles but never had I imagined combining poultry with a breakfast battercake. Now, merely a decade later, many others have adopted this idea. Today, chicken and waffles are as commonplace a combination as beer nuts and bar stools.

It's interesting the way life often imitates art. Look at some of the other unlikely combinations that we've witnessed over the years... there's Eminem and Elton John, denim jeans and sports coats, pineapples and pizza, and we can't forget about Jermaine Dupri and Ms. Jackson. Amazingly enough, we've grown accustomed to all of these combinations as a result of having witnessed them on a consistent basis. One thing that all these pairs have in common is that they've blazed unchartered trails. Isn't it amazing how all of these tandems, which began with their fair share of skeptics, have prospered into highly successful collaborations?

Can you imagine if we all applied the chicken and waffles concept to our lives by venturing to do something outside of the norm? Most folk stay true to their comfort zone. Many of us are hesitant to journey beyond our preset boundaries for fear that others will perceive us in an unacceptable fashion. We often limit our own potential when we fail to take stabs at being unique, uncommon or bleeding edge. The next time you decide to conform to the status quo as opposed to partnering with some innovative concept; I offer the following example as incentive: Once upon a time Kadeem Hardison a.k.a "Dwayne Wayne" decided to push the envelope and ask the very lovely and talented Ms. Chante Moore out on a date. One year later she recorded the song "Chante's got a man", in his honor. Colossal dreams sprout from big visions. So now, would you like Waffles with that order? Or are you going to simply settle for being a big Chicken for the remainder of your life? Be blessed.

Corey R.