Okay, complete the following axiom: “If life gives you lemons, ……! Schooled in the intricate arcania of maxims, most folks would write something on the order of “make lemonade,” right? That seems fair enough—we want to be positive about the bad breaks or sour moments in our life’s journey, so lemonade-making seems like the positive, asset-based thing to do with an accumulation of lemons. (Checking: Would a group of lemons be called a herd, colony, gaggle or quiver?)
Today I would like to invite you into metaphor-making that expands the usual order of things into other possibilities. In the case of lemons, I’m thinking of a new approach to the bitter-lemon phenomenon, something that really takes being positive (or finding usefulness) to new levels.
Today I am happy to announce a new Lemon Metaphor: “If life gives you lemons, plant a lemon grove!” My logic follows….
Lemons want to live out their purpose as they intended—to be seed-producers. Having waited with respect, those of us who are blessed with lemons can now extract the ripened seeds, and find equally respectful soil. Carefully planted, the lemons sprout as seedlings, eventually becoming an orchard filled with fragrantly blossomed trees. Besides lemonade, other uses and benefits can emerge. (E.g., employment, cleaning, cooking/nutrition, medicinal.) As the trees continue to produce more fruit, they can remain useful for many years. Over time—that’s the key to applying this proverb to the rest of life—this mouth-puckering citrus can become an asset. Including, of course, many gallons of metaphorical lemonade!
And yes, you may share this new-and-expanded metaphor with others, especially those who are able to take the long view of their lives, recognize usefulness even in the face of problems and rejoice in the gift of patience!
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