People say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And most people will say that’s easier said than done. But it’s an admirable motto—just the same.
Why should you or I make lemonade?
Don’t get me wrong; I love lemonade as much as anyone else. I’m not a pessimist, but the fact is sometimes sweetening life’s lemons can be very difficult to do. You have to pile on the sugar or positivism until the negativity or bitterness of the circumstance disappears.
Problems aren’t ghostly sightings. They’re not here one moment. And POOF! They’re gone! Problems are real!
This is the question: should we refuse the lemons or accept them and make lemonade? But is this realistic?
Many times, refusing the lemons isn’t an option. Stuff happens! People get fired. Lovers part ways. Loved ones die.
When my sister Ann died, we planted a tree at the school where she taught. The tree was in memory of her and her love for the children and teaching. This lemonade left a sweet taste in our mouths.
Doing nothing with the lemons sours one’s disposition and outlook. Choosing to make lemonade safeguards self-care, personal growth, optimism, and inspires others.
Make lemonade or not? This is the question.
Making lemonade is all about optimism. Life’s difficulties can be sour, bitter, and tough to swallow, like lemons. Making lemonade is the right choice.
Try smiling while chomping on a wedge of lemon or when life reprimands you for no good reason. Not easy, is it? This is a feast for those who can put mind over matter.
Mind over matter is about a winning attitude no matter the obstacle; it’s about a Herculean willpower. How about this willpower statement: It’s not an obstacle but an opening for positive change. That attitude sweetens the problem.
God gives us the power to name things in our lives. Is it a problem, or is it a purpose to fulfill? Is it a challenge or a chance to learn and grow?
We can and should mind our attitudes about all of life’s matters: money or the lack of it, success or our perception of it.
One’s attitude matters the most, no matter the facts or circumstances.
Victor Frankl, a Jew who was in a Nazi concentration camp, stated the following about attitude:
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
I’m still working on my attitude about several things, especially about success and failure.
Make lemonade and declare: There’s no failure while I’m trying!
Our response dictated by our attitude can help us succumb to or surmount life’s difficulties.
Make a batch of lemonade whenever needed. It will sweeten the journey and enable more smiles.
We all know someone who eats lemons for breakfast and doesn’t mind sharing their lemonade. They’re not scathed by a challenge; it’s what they live for!
I’m no match for these folks. But I make lemonade by doing the following four things:
Finding the value in the experience or the lessons learned.
Ending the why me syndrome.
Reminding myself that things could be worse.
Thanking God.
The following poem, written in the 1940 edition of the Rotarian, mentions people, lemons, and lemonade. The poem is titled The Optimist. The Optimist paints a picture of life and lemons.
The Optimist
Life handed him a lemon,
As Life sometimes will do.
His friends looked on in pity,
Assuming he was through.
They came upon him later.
Reclining in the shade
In calm contentment, drinking
A glass of lemonade.
There is plenty of lemonade to be made in Life. We all can make a big batch today.
Stay safe.