Tuesday, February 17, 2015

NaBloPoMo: Make...Lemonade?


Hybrid lemons in my fridge
Today's NaBloPoMo prompt is as follows: "What do you think of the idea 'if life gives you lemons, make lemonade.' Do you think it's always possible to make something bad into something good?"

"If life gives you lemons, make lemonade" is a proverbial phrase used to encourage optimism and a can-do attitude in the face of adversity or misfortune due to lemons usually being bitter, and lemonade being a sweet drink.

I certainly don't consider myself an expert at using (life's) lemons to make lemonade, though I would say my mother is a great example of this. I think she is a natural born fighter, a strong woman who firmly believes, "where there's a will, there's a way!."

Now that I write that, I think I do have this too at times. In particular when I have a goal, usually clear in my mind, I am resolute in accomplishing it. Nothing can stop me!

It's of course much easier in hindsight to see the sweetness that has come out of bitterness in life more often than not. Forgiveness is key. And sometimes that takes time.

I do my best of course (that's all I can do) - I'm not perfect - to forgive others and myself, to have faith and belief in myself, i.e., my abilities as well as in life to believe that I can make lemonade really well or sweet(ened) lemon tea (hot or cold) or whatever I choose to do with them, like juggling! Woohoo! (I do that sometimes!) However, I have the belief that things will always work out in the end.

In the meantime, I may stumble and fall, complain at times, until I have had enough. Enough of hurting (emotionally/mentally/spiritually/physically), enough of feeling sorry for myself, enough of whatever situation.

"Enough is enough!" or "I've had enough!" are two such thoughts that cross my mind from time to time that propel me to kick my own butt so-to-speak, get moving, and use the lemons handed to me wisely.

From sweetopia.net

As I'm writing this, I am coming to a realization. The way through having bitter lemons is to ask a question or questions. For instance, "How can I do this?" or "What do I need to do in order to ...?" (fill in the blank)

So there, now you have a tip, a tool to help you make wonderful lemonade or what you will. So go on and enjoy those lemons!

By the way, I highly recommend this hybrid lemon (see photo above) which is a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange - they are plump, ripe, and juicy - or sweet lemons: ooh, so delectable and they both smell so good too! ;)

Do you make lemonade out of the lemons in your life or what do you do with them?

11 comments:

  1. Well I try to make the best out of it...I get cranky , angry, even cry at times but I guess those are just coping mechanisms.. But at the end I just try to make the best of every situation

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    1. You're not alone dear Naba; I do those things too! ;) And making do with what you have, dealing with what life gives you, that's all we can ultimately do. <3

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  2. I have found that laughter and a good attitude can get you through most difficult times but sometimes....the lemons are bitter

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    1. Yes, I saw that in you Carol, that laughter gets you through. And that plus a good attitude is certainly a great way to deal with bitter lemons! You certainly have had your share of them and your inner strength plus faith I think also have pulled you through as I am almost finished reading all the amazing tragedies plus the many miracles that have sustained you. Truly inspiring! :) <3

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    2. Your words are kind and appreciated. So happy to have met you and look forward to good times together.

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  3. Elly, I am impressed by your lemonade. I also make lemonade. It is favoured drink in our house.

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    1. Ah dear Usha, you do realize this phrase is just an expression, a metaphor, not meant to be literal? ;) If so, then I imagine tastes wonderful - sweet as you are! :) And by the way, my lemonade is sometimes bitter, not sweet enough! ;) <3

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  4. We all learn to make lemonade when life hands out leons, don't we? I had no clue as to how to deal with the lemon situation but I did learn to make lemonades on the go and looking back, I feel pretty happy about how it all turned out. And those "Enough is enough" moments you talk about, I hear you, I too had those moments, still have. Then again, those moments give a different flavor altogether to the lemonade we make, don't they? :) Nice reading this, Elly. :)

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    1. I agree with you Vinitha that the "enough is enough" phase changes the lemonade from bitterness to a that of a "sweet enough" drink! ;) <3

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  5. I make lemonade or use the lemon in my dressings. Sometimes, I even make pickle. I guess, one can try and figure out many uses or ways to handle the tricky situations that we often find ourselves in.

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    1. That's a great idea Rachna: lemon dressing...I love that idea! I do hope it speaks of you dressing up life flavourfully! :) <3

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