Sometimes When Life Gives You Lemons.......

It is a common cliche to hear, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."
But as I came across this lemon the other day while juicing lemons for work, I questioned that sage advise.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I am all for trying to find and make the best of "sour" situations, as these will continually and regularly show-up throughout our lives.

Yet, for the first time ever, as I contemplated this new circumstance, I concluded that this one bad lemon would ruin all the juice I had so painstakingly squeezed.
So although I don't like to waste or throw things away, I determined it was the most logical choice to get rid of it.

As with my life, I realized that for whatever reason, there were often times I had held on to some "rotten" relationships hoping to salvage and get the most out of them, because after all, wasn't it best to 'make the most of what you have'? 
To make lemonade instead of complaining how bad something was?

Looking back now, wisdom and experience have taught me, often through heartache, that sometimes holding on to a "decaying lemon" and trying to make lemonade with it only spoils it for everyone in the end.

That sometimes when life gives you lemons, you choose not to drink that bitter cup.

"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves."~Viktor Frankl

Mac's-A-Million

Mac is a man we unexpectedly met while waiting outside for a table at a quaint little restaurant.
After "signing in" he easily conversed with us, telling us that he was a regular, and that since his wife of 54 years had died a year ago, he stayed away from home escaping the void he felt walking into an empty home, by coming to the restaurant.

As we were called in at the same time he was, and escorted to our table (while he was directed to his against the wall), it only seemed fitting to invite him to join us.

What a wonderful decision that was!
It was evident he was lonely which he admitted.
He spoke with few pauses between his words, which he also acknowledged as he continued sharing. 

In the beginning, it could have very easily been second-guessed by us as to whether or not the invite had been such a good idea, because in doing so we had given up "our time" together. But to see the joy in his eyes and feel the life in his words, gave no doubt it was not a chance opportunity nor a mistake.

It was apparent that the reason he was hurting so much was because he loved so much. As he spoke, the passion and deep love he had for his wife was palpable. With all the negativity in this world, it was refreshing to hear something not seen or heard very often anymore.

Mac was full of humor and history and stories that taught wisdom, business knowledge, enduring hardships, and what true love meant to him. 

Mac was without a doubt, one in a million! 

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotic's Notebook, 1966

Don't marry the person you think you can live with; marry only the individual you think you can't live without. ~James C. Dobson

What Happens In The End

The occupations I work in, can seem uncertain at times.
Meaning, there may be points during a work day/night where it seems questionable as to the effectiveness of my performance.

Because all of the endeavors I do, involve working with individuals on a personal level, I often would scrutinize each interaction, sometimes feeling guilty if it seemed I had upset someone. 
But over the years I have learned a valuable lesson.

That just because there may be some low moments, doesn't mean I have failed.
What really matters is what happens in the end.

When the day/night has come to a close, how were those involved feeling?
Were they happy, relieved, satisfied, appreciative and gracious?
Were they thanking me with words, a hug or gentle pat on the back, or holding my hand?

THESE are the telling story to me.

So, if somewhere in my day, I missed or forgot something or was a little slow, or a little too honest or stern, it really isn't where the focus should be.
Because if in the end those I work for felt loved, and appreciated and respected, all that happened in between then was just the "small stuff".
And in my jobs, you are literally too physically close to people to want to "sweat the small stuff".
 
"Train yourself to find the blessing in everything."

Jumping In Head First

The package promised a "growing fairy" if immersed in water. 
Sometimes life is like that.
In order to grow we just have to "jump in", sometimes head first, not knowing exactly how much, or in what ways we are going to expand.
But we are ready for a change and therefore willing to do whatever is needed for growth.
So we dive in, hoping for the best and we find a greater person emerges, revealing and magnifying qualities about us we hadn't noticed before.
And in the end we are grateful that we took the plunge.

When The Joke Is On You

When the delivery man came in with a package and no one was there to receive it, I went to assist.  
As I approached him I saw the box said 'Flowers' on the side.

 So in my best excited, sarcastic voice (which I have honed) I said, "Oh look! Flowers for meee!!" 
His response was, "These are for Reyna."

Then, in my real shockingly, excited voice I exclaimed, "That's me!! I'm REALLY Reyna!! See? (pointing to my name tag) I'm not kidding, for reals, I'm Reyna!"
Sometimes it is very, very nice when this is the joke and it is reversed and is on you.

 
 "There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved. It is God's finger on man's shoulder." ~Charles Morgan

Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

I received an unexpected package and this is what was in it.
 

It was a surprise gift from a dear friend who is battling cancer.
It was a form of appreciation although I should be the one showing appreciation.
For the example of courage, and hope, and persistence, and the positive spirit and love that radiates from them.

This gift has been a perfect reminder to me each time I wear it of how precious life is and how none of us really know what time it is in our lives.
When we or someone we love will be given a challenge that may try everything we have and sometimes even more than we knew we had.
A time when we are reminded to savor and cherish the common, day-to-day things we often take for granted.
A time to express our feelings of love and gratitude when we otherwise may postpone it waiting for the "perfect time".
Because really, does anybody really know when that time is, if not now?


"Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you." ~Carl Sandburg