Life lately has been a basket full of lemons and so I could not help but think of the proverbial phrase “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” This saying is meant to encourage us to always look at the bright side of any adversity and to remain optimistic. Lemons are sour and we generally like our lives to be sweet. Making sweet and refreshing lemonade out of sour lemons requires that we recalibrate our perspective and refocus our attention to solutions.
When feeling overwhelmed, I rely on another adage, “inch by inch everything is a cinch.” Know the big picture but focus on what needs to be done now. Also, self-care is even more critical:
- Take care of your body: nourish your body with healthy well-balanced meals, move/exercise, and get plenty of sleep
- Take care of your mental and emotional health: do what relaxes you, connect with others, talk things out with people you trust, maintain healthy relationships, and build a strong support system
- Stay informed and keep things in perspective
- Ask for help when needed – you need not go through it alone
If you are going through a rough patch right now, remember that pain does not last forever. Life is ever-changing and we can take comfort, humility, and hope in the impermanent nature of our experience. Lemons might be sour but there’s no denying its beautiful characteristics – the cheerful lemon yellow color, the refreshing scent, vitamins and plant compounds, and yes, even its tangy sourness. When you’re given a bunch of lemons, add honey or a sprig of herb. Make a tonic that heals, invigorates, and restores body and soul.
