Who hasn’t heard the saying, “When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade?” I have always wanted to say to the sayer, “What the heck does that mean, and how exactly am I supposed to make a tasty drink out of my messy mess?” Always wanted to say it but never have. It’s usually some well-meaning person who says such a thing anyway. At some point in time, the well-meaning person has been one or both of my parents. Finally, I think I’ve figured this thing out.
What usually happens is that you find yourself in a situation where no matter how much you may want to, you have no idea how to make the best of it. Some say think of those less fortunate who have it worse than you, but really, that won’t help you. Others say you just learn from it and pass on what you learn to others because it (meaning the situation) is not all about you–you know, the concept that we go through what we do because we’re strong enough and will one day be able to help someone else do the same. This a quite a useful concept that typically holds true, but still no lemonade.
The thing about lemons is that they are so tart that without the proper amount of sugar they just make your eyes squint and your jaws turn. Sucking a lemon is akin to a situation getting worse before it gets better to that extent that you just have to roll with the punches for a little while. Not only until lemons are diluted with water does their juice become palatable. That means you have to to be doused with water, more turmoil, before even the bitter mess can become better. It feels like adding insult to injury, and what follows is no better. You then have to add the sugar. Adding sugar seems like it would be the most pleasant step, but that’s only if you do it in moderation. Not enough, and the drink is still bitter. Too much, and you have diabetes in a bottle, or pitcher. *shrug* The key is finding the perfect amount of balance, so the question then becomes: how does one do that? That’s the hard part.
*I was prepared for this post to go somewhere else, but this is where it went, and when I ran out of stuff to say, I just stopped.*
:) i like how u just stopped when u felt the post was finished, in your terms. that is what we need to learn at times, i’ll come back to this in a mo.
Firstly, lemonade is sooo overrated, i have so heard that line to many times, and hate it, well i also hate all the other well meant clichés like, it’s all gonna be okay, etc. i am result orientated, and more often than not i need solutions, not some well meant clichés. that is the same reason i don’t do shrinks, i did once in university about 8 years ago, and the woman just enjoyed making me cry and talk, each time i walked out of there with no answer, so after 2 sessions i just didn’t go back.
anyhoo… yeah, back to the whole thing about knowing when to stop, i know it’s not really the main theme of this post, but it stood out for me. Just knowing when to stop trying, walk away, change course, its not an act of surrender, it’s growth i think. and just like u felt u gonna stop, whether the post had gone where u wanted it or not. didn’t matter whether it made sense or complied with any ‘blog structure’, on how it ought to have an intro, main theme, and a conclusion. i liked the fact that, u followed your won rules in determining the end. it’s very commendable to be able to stop when it’s enough, and this applies in every aspects of our lives.
Now on the lemonade issue, I don’t even like it, so finding the right balance is even much tougher. I just use the lemons for my face or something else, i usually take a step back, re-evaluate and focus on other things in the meantime.
LOL!! I feel you on the shrink business. Sometimes counseling works, but sometimes….oh boy.
I think your analysis of the post is such an accurate description of exactly where I am right now. I was talking to my mom, and she totally doesn’t understand me right now because whatever I’m in the middle of that I don’t like in my life, I’ve just stopped. Just like the post. Stopped. Fine’. I’ve always reserved the right to change my mind. Now I also reserve the right to change course in mid stream if I want to. When I decide to be done with a thing, I really am just done.
Comment by Shazza — January 29, 2009 @ 1:31 p
while you’re making lemonade, could you write a blog please? i need something to read while i struggle to stay awake and am avoiding working.
thanks
Comment by Dflysoul — February 6, 2009 @ 1:31 p