WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS
Don’t waste a good thing or a bad thing. Mix it all together for the good of others and for yourself.
You have heard the saying: “when life hands you a lemon, make it into the best lemonade you possibly can.”
These words sound so wonderful until you find yourself being the one with the lemon.
It’s not hard to use the sugar and make something sweet of it. Most of us have no problem with sugary stuff. I know I for one have a sweet tooth that if I don’t watch it can get out of hand.
SUGAR AND WATER
Having grown up in Jamaica, I am used to mixing sugar and water, add some ice if we had it, and quench our thirst with our sweet tasting drink. We simply called it “sugar water.” That would be our drink.
However, when we had lemons or limes, we would add that to the mix, and what a difference. There was something about the tang of the lemon that added a twist to the taste. It was reeeefreshing!
If you were to think of our lives that way, we would prefer the sugar at all times. But unfortunately, that’s only wishful thinking. The reality is we are going to have some lemons thrown our way.
MY LEMON
I had one of those experiences as a teenager where someone whom I trusted as an adult friend, molested me. That was a lemon thrown my way.
What was I going to do with that?
It took a number of years, but I eventually was able to forgive after I chose to work through the emotional and mental aspects of it. I have now added that story to my “mix” along with the sugar, and use it to inspire people through my speaking, coaching, and writing.
MY LEMONADE
I refuse to let something that “cost” me so much, go by the wayside. I was forced to pay for it now I find ways for it to pay me back.
One of my favorite Bible stories is that of Joseph in the Old Testament.
As a teenager, his brothers who hated him sold him into Egypt as a slave.
Through a series of providence, God promoted him to become second in command to the Pharaoh—the ruler of Egypt.
After years of separation, he was eventually reconciled with his brothers who now feared for their lives. They knew Joseph had the power to take their lives or put them in jail to rot for what they did to him. He could have taken revenge.
But to everyone’s amazement, he said these words to his brothers: ”…what you meant for evil, God meant for good.” He forgave them.
Joseph turned his many lemons into lemonade.
THE RESULTS
My experience has made me more forgiving, tender, understanding, compassionate, patient, and more. I have also found that people who are willing to embrace their lemon, make it into lemonade, are better employees, managers, leaders, parents; better with people in general.
I know making this kind of lemonade is not easy. It sounds simple which it is but it requires maturity, sometimes professional help, and time. But it can be done and I highly recommend it.
Because I’ve chosen to make lemonade with my good and bad past, it has opened doors for me in so many ways. I’ve also written books which include my stories.
If you are interested in reading any of my books, you can see them here ==> Kingsley’s Books on Amazon.
If I can help you work through your past, don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
CONNECT with me HERE
