A Sweet Detour

photo by GG Lemere Unsplash

8/4/26

Last week I found myself standing in a long line outside of a concert venue, sweat dripping down my face, the hundred-degree sun doing its best to bake everyone waiting for dinner. 

I was in line for what seemed like the sensible choice, a reasonably "healthy" taco plate. Very typical for my generally reasonable, disciplined nature.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted another food truck.

Ice cream.

Cold, creamy, utterly unnecessary ice cream.

There are times to follow the rules, even the ones we've made up for ourselves, and there are times to loosen our grip a little.

This felt like one of those times.

I stepped out of the taco line and into the ice cream line.

Besides, I reasoned, it was actually the more economical choice. (Amazing how quickly the mind can justify dessert)

I ordered a double scoop. Not because I planned to share it. In fact, I fully intended to enjoy every bite myself.

Then, without a thought, I reached over and grabbed three extra spoons for the three women I was sitting with.

It surprised me as much as anyone.

There wasn't a decision. No internal debate. No, "Should I share?"

It simply happened.

The ice cream was every bit as delicious as I'd hoped. But what lingered far longer was watching their faces light up as they leaned in, laughing over a bowl that was melting faster than we could keep up with it.

In Buddhism, there is a beautiful word, mudita—finding joy in another person's joy, also known as "sympathetic joy."

That evening reminded me that sometimes the sweetest part of dessert isn't eating it.

It's sharing it.

And perhaps every now and then, breaking one of our own harmless rules creates just enough space for something unexpected to emerge.

I'm still fairly certain the joy we shared more than compensated for the sugar!