Lemonade?

by Pat Antonopoulos
"When Life Hands You Lemons, Make Lemonade"

Maybe you remember that poster message that was once as common as, "Have a nice day."

For years, I tried living up to that judgment call, that challenge to rise above difficulties through my A+ attitude of gathering the emotional ingredients to transform the problems into something refreshing. More often than not, I succeeded because my life structure provided the rest of the ingredients. I had a satisfying job, a family, the comfort of a home in a safe neighborhood----a pitcher, water, some sugar, a big spoon and ice.

As I look at current family and personal struggles, I would be ashamed to even suggest such a judgmental message as "Make Lemonade". How hurtful to tell a struggling individual that all will be well if they simply adjust their attitude and make that sow's ear into a lovely silk purse. How presumptive to step into their moment and decide that an attitude adjustment would change the circumstances. Even the lemons could be crushed by the weight of many of today's circumstances.
I don't hesitate to redirect a whine or a pout when attitude is self-serving and ruinous to family harmony. It is easy to be caught up in the message of me-first-me-above-all-my-needs. Part of my grandmother work is to gently do that redirect. This is making a 'disciple of'. This is good discipline.
We can all have those days when we personify "Grump" and cleaning up our attitude is required if we want to function with family, friends, co-workers. We see the value in that attitude adjustment.
Respect. Respect for struggles, for circumstances, for a huge lack in life 'ingredients" would leave a much sweeter taste than the admonishment to spin straw into gold.