Mariposa Kisses (aka Dianne's Blog)

Lemons make fantastic lemonade. Sure, this is obvious, right? But without some sugar, they don't concoct a very good juice. That's how life is sometimes. Life gives you a lemon and then you have a choice. You either pucker your lips at its sour taste or you add some sugar.

Whether it's a pay-cut or a delayed job offer, you have to maintain perspective. For some, it's a stubborn health issue. Maybe you even have to give up coffee or wine because of it, which adds insult to injury. Perhaps a friend has recently separated from her spouse because of an affair. How can we spin that in a positive light, right? It could just be a sister or a cousin who is going through a deep depression. You want to help, but you're not sure how to show that you care.

Even the most sour situations have hope because you can always add more sugar to the lemonade. Sometimes the amount and type you add depend on the situation. But, whatever life throws in your direction, you can get through its obstacles because of your positive responses and your upbeat attitude. For the lighter trials, buy some cheerful flowers or get a new energized haircut. A cup of strong coffee and an uplifting chat with a close friend can provide comfort as well.

For some of the bigger issues, look at these suggestions. Try visiting a retirement center to encourage someone whose health is much worse than your own. Or, if you're having a hard time seeing past your own injustices, try volunteering at an abused women's shelter to glean strength and perseverance from those amazing women. If finances are tight, spend a few days helping out a needy family down in Tijuana. You'll never look at a cardboard box the same way again and your downsizing from a four to a two bedroom house won't seem quite so bleak.

If sugar isn't enough, time is sure to help as well. You know how lemonade tastes even better once it has time to sit overnight in the chilled refrigerator? Life can be like that too. The flavors of some situations just need time to settle. Even though the lemon's sour flavor is not wiped out, over time, the sweetness masks it sufficiently. The tartness and the sweetness eventually mix together to make a beautiful flavor. Over time, some of life's struggles can be masked as well by all of the other blessings around us: our kids, our parents, our friends, our aptitudes and our hobbies. Over the weeks and months, by focusing on the good things in our lives, we maintain a measured perspective which allows us to take hold of the splendor around us.

Each family is made of its own special recipe, just like lemonade. No two are exactly the same, so we have to be fair to our own circumstances as well. We can't compare our situation to the Jones' next door or to the Browns' two blocks over. If we get into thinking our lives need to be exactly like another family's, then we miss out on what's right in front of us. Sure, hardships are a pain in the you-know-what, but they do make us stronger, smarter, and funnier. If we take things in stride, then we're ready for the next best thing, the sweetest lemonade imaginable.

Labels: family, lemonade, perspective