Life Is Bigger Than Lemons...

There is a famous proverb which goes like 'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade'. It has been rearranged in several ways like, 'When life gives you lemons, squirt it in people's eyes', 'When life gives you lemons, make orange juice and leave them wondering how you did it', 'When life gives you lemons, take out the salt and the shot-glasses and fill them up with tequila', etc. 

I decided to make one of my own - 'When life gives you lemons, take the seeds out and plant a lemon tree'. How about that? 

For sure, each one of us has one or the other problem we got to deal with, willingly or unwillingly. Often followed by uneasiness, anxiety, trouble relaxing, sadness, helplessness and what not. We feel stuck and imprisoned in shackles. 

In one of my earlier posts, Ithaca was a topic of discussion. (Revisit Motherhood For Ithaca). Let us revisit the concept once again to rekindle the idea of relaxing when life really becomes a big glob of sour and bitter lemon, like those genetically engineered ones which do not have seeds😯. Neither do you feel the presence of a helping hand to relieve your discomfort even though how hard your loved ones give their best shot.

In those inconvenient moments of your dear life, your mind wants to escape. Well, escaping does seem like a  better option and does provide an outlet but it leads to more troubles. Some may think of finding escape in drug abuse, abandonment or even suicide. The former two have a direct negative impact on overall health and sanity while the latter leaves the loved ones hollow forever. 

We do know it is easier said than done and it seems impossible to feel ok when one is dealing with humongous, heart breaking problems. Nevertheless, honestly cutting to the core, each one of us got to face the demons and the problems on our own, all by ourselves. Agree, it is sometimes deafening and one wants to find something to fall back on. But, at times a support system might not be available.

Is giving up on yourself the only way out then? Is feeling defeated and believing in defeat by your mere sounds in the head, the only possible thing? Is calling out for a little help to be heard, not a better option? Is finding your lost old good habits/favourite activities, not a better alternative?

Fact is, we have options. We need to believe in the existence of an option to be explored. These options should become the escape route instead of going in a wrong direction of devastation and self-sabotage. 

In the absence of any help, all you got is you. It is said, God helps those who help themselves. 

Finding solace in 'this very moment' does help but it is soon taken over by helplessness of 'what next'. This in turn becomes a vicious circle followed by boredom. What could help in such a situation is going towards reviving an old good habit or probably immersing in a new activity which is enjoyable like a sport activity, art, volunteering, reading, writing, 'Gratituding', learning a new skill. This does not have to be expensive or elaborate. A little indulgence is what one needs. 

Truth is we all go through a rough or dull phase. But it does not need to prolong. 

Awaiting your Ithaca and discovering the essence of your joie de vivre are integral to shifting focus away from 'Lemonic' stagnant life to a dynamic you. Human beings are curious, inquisitive creatures. We can always master the art and necessity of survival. 

Think, share with us and and comment below what is/are your approach towards the metaphoric Lemons in your life. You can also send us your story via the Contact Form, to be published anonymously at The Missing Bone.