Daily Meditation for May 29, 2025

On May 29, 1919, Charles Strite filed for a patent for the pop-up toaster, which he invented at a factory in Stillwater, Minnesota. Mr. Strite decided something needed to be done about the burnt toast served in the company cafeteria each day, so through trial and error, he invented the pop-up toaster we still enjoy to this day. He did not invent toast however, as that happened in Egypt hundreds of years earlier. Mr. Strite wanted to make life easier and more enjoyable for those around him who like toast. Maybe today would be a good day to ask ourselves to notice ways we can make life easier for those around us. We may not end up inventing anything, but we might be surprised to discover there are simple ways at home and at work to assist another in making life easier and more enjoyable. We just have to pay attention and then do it.

By Joyce Iten, OSB