The Shiva Purana mythology of Ganesha tells us that he was made, from turmeric paste in the form of a young man, by the Goddess Parvati to protect her while she was bathing. The young man mistook Shiva, Parvati's husband, for an intruder and denied him access to his mother's quarters. Shiva became enraged and, in his fury, cut off Ganesha's head. When Parvati saw what happened she called forth her Yogini and threatened to destroy all Creation. Well, Lord Brahma the Creator was not going to let this domestic dispute destroy all his handiwork, so he asked Parvati what she thought would be suitable recompense for Shiva's action. Parvati said she would not destroy Creation if Ganesha was brought back to life, and if he was forever worshipped before all the other gods. Shiva told Brahma to go fetch the head from the first creature he finds lying with its head facing north. Brahma brought back an elephant head which Shiva stuck on Ganesha's body, breathed life into it, called it his son, and made Ganesha the god of gods.

Ganesha is traditionally called upon by devotees to help them overcome obstacles, yet he came to me, without invitation, to offer his advice. He reminded me that, often, lapses into sour behavior stem from fear: fear of loneliness, fear of poverty, fear of death. He suggested that in those moments, joyfully embracing that which we have is a sweetener we possess to make life more palatable.