There’s that old saying, “When life gives you lemons, then make lemonade.” How often do we really do that?

We all want to make a big deal out of whatever is causing us distress. Want others to know our sorrows! We want them to commiserate with us. Maybe even feel a little sorry for us.

I think this is natural. The trick is not for us to beat ourselves up! Probably by talking the situation out, is our way of healing.

Within the past week I encountered a homeless person on the stairs of my apartment building—met him/her up close and personal by me putting my hand on their shoes; a car got really close and my dog backed up to keep us safe; and, I fell in a construction hole in the middle of the street. Believe me, all were worth wallowing, worrying, and worth talking to friends and even strangers about my situations. And, perhaps by writing this blog, I want you to reach out as well, for after all I’m still human! ?

And though I’m still a little freaked about all three, I realize that I have to change my perspective.

I didn’t get hurt by the homeless person, I didn’t get killed by the car, and I didn’t break my ankle in the hole. My dog kept me safe and probably even saved my life!

I see three lessons here.

First, I need to be more diligent and more aware of my surroundings.

Second, I needed to take charge and action by writing letters to management and promoting solutions to the ongoing issue of homeless people in my building.

Third, I need to focus on the good. All is well in my world. When life happens, we can choose to eat the lemon and go on eating them, or we can choose to pick up those lemons and make lemonade.

How are you handling your lemons?

Are they sitting on your counter day after day taking up space?

What’s keeping you from picking them up, adding some sweetener, and placing them into the blender?

I’ve found the recipe for making lemonade is:

Ingredients

• 4 cups of Alignment/faith
• 2 cups of Attitude of gratitude
• 1 cup Action

Instructions

1. Whisk Alignment with a heavy dose of prayer
2. Fold in Attitude, making sure gratitude is at the top of your list
3. Top with a sprinkle of Action
4. Be gentle, sip, and enjoy!

I challenge you to turn your lemons into lemonade. You do not want them to get rotten! Life is too short to hold on and save the lemons for a rainy day. The day is now! The time is now! Make your lemonade today! When you taste your lemonade—when you change your focus—you will change the way you see, and change the way you live.