When Life Hands You Lemons...

"When life hands you lemons, make lemonade." Or so the saying goes, encouraging us to make the best out of sour situations.

But to be honest, I've always hated the expression. I love the thought behind the phrase, but I always thought a better thing would be to make the most out of the situation ("When life hands you lemons, cut one of them open, plant the seed, grow a tree, and sell the lot for profit," say), or, if not the most, the best in your own interest (i.e. a "When life hands you lemons, make sure it hands you the cups, the lemon squeezer, the sugar, and the spoon to stir it with too," scenario). Sometimes, I want the saying to be cinematic--- to allow for a re-do (so "When life hands you lemons, throw them back and ask for something sweeter"). And sometimes I get the idea and just wish the thing had said, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade, make enough to last for the rest of your life. Because it promises---promises!---never to hand you sour things ever, ever, ever again." 

Gah! I hate the expression. But lately, I've been having to make lemonade. I've applied for some internships but didn't get them. I applied for a Residential Advisor-type position at school and got requested to be an alternate. My computer screen freaked on me so I was with limited internet access the entire week. And all the while I've been making lemonade, wanting to request my refund and demand answers for these injustices. Wondering all the while what it was that I was doing wrong...

But you know, it's just occurred to me now that all those things weren't actually TERRIBLE. I lost out on some internships, but thank God! There are more! And I'm not out of the running for my RA thing--- not yet! And my computer still works--- everything's there, everything's fine! I'm sitting here thinking to myself, "You've been so stupid! Look at yourself, Child, and tell me: what's wrong with a little bit of tang, anyway?" 

The problem, I think, is that I've been so spoiled. So reliant on technology. So sure that anything I set out to do or win was assuredly going to be mine! And I'm grateful a little for this second chance to see myself as a spoiled little brat. If I hadn't had this "awful" week, I wouldn't have written (yes, handwritten, mind you) some thirty pages of a manuscript, gone out of the house to see "The Artist," got an awesome new monitor, got the chance to see my sister, got a chance to try Pad Thai, et cetera, et cetera! It amazes how much I learn about myself every single day. You never stop learning, never stop growing... not unless you want to, and seriously: why would I want to stop doing the things that makes me.... well... me.

So here's my new mantra: "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. Say thank you. Ask it to hang around for a bit. Then pass it a glass and remind it to stay deliciously refreshing and refreshingly interesting, and take a sip yourself as reminder to enjoy anything that makes you who you are." 

If it's too long for you, feel free to adopt any of the other aforementioned ones as your own. But be sure to get where I'm going with this--- hating the sour parts is like cursing the good ones that were products of that labor. And as they say (ew! Another saying I abhor), "Don't hate the player,"--- i.e. Life or suckish parts of it--- "hate the game." 

Remember to stay beautiful, Loves,

Deserae

P.S. Need some inspiration? Want to see some pretty things? Visit My Ticket Home and My Ticket Elsewhere! All this month we're celebrating awesomeness.

P.S.S. Psalms 18:32 <3

Commenting on Comments

Prerna- Yes, I wish technology and I were better friends. Or hey! I'll take acquaintances! So glad you liked the poem and I thought we might be on the same page with The Vow. So hard to talk about it without spoilers, but it has this way of making you love and hate it both at once. Do read ONE DAY. You said you liked the movie, yes? Well, I am nearly done with the book and I've enjoyed it immensely. Adult books are slow going, I realize, but it's good--- great build-up, storyline, characters... everything.

Sonal- Thank you about your thoughts on the poem and for being one of the followers who influenced its posting. :) Happy birthday to you, my love! It's officially, what, 2 A.M. March 4th in England-land? I hope you have the best birthday ever. I made you something so you'll have to check out Elsewhere tomorrow (later today?) when you get the chance. Sorry if I mispronounced your name. Lots of love to you, my dear. Best birthday wishes from your pal across the pond.

Yvonne- Why thank you! I appreciate the comment! I've just checked out your blog and I like the recommendations you do. I don't really watch Dance Moms (I was in dance at that age and I think what the instructor does is just awful!), but your book recommendations are always pretty interesting. Definitely out of my usual bubble and I'm trying to step out of that so yay!

Maya- I'm awesome? I think you and Sang are awesome! I couldn't believe she commented! I was like in literal shock and was hoping you'd saw it. Your review was incredible, though. You definitely convinced me that I must feature it on Elsewhere. Sang is sending me a copy soon. If it's signed (and if you want it), I'll send it to you after I read it. I take good care of my books so it'll be a very special thing. I'll even write something to you on the front since you are the reason I'm getting it in the first place! :) SHADOW AND BONES has me drooling. And I seriously love ya, Maya. You are the bestESS. ;)

In Which I Feel Okay

The Chapter of Evil is done. In fact, here's a screenshot of me being relieved about the fact that it is no longer vague thoughts and inclinations. Ya'll know how Twitter works. You must read from the bottom up to get chronological order (strange logic, I know).

I am... relieved, mostly. Relieved, and slightly exhausted. But I'm also confused. I'm confused because this chapter was supposed to kill me. It was TRYING to kill me, I swear, but yet... Here I am. And I'm also confused because I thought it was supposed to be my worst work yet. But it's... it's actually my most creatively plotted chapters, if I do say so myself. Like... for a chapter, it's quite plotty. It's quite a plotty chapter.

Meaning that although it SUCKS, there is good in it somewhere. It got me to think, stretch my imagination, broaden my mind. It made me envision things I never thought I'd explore, and it's prepared me to be ready to re-envision those things because the way in which I wrote them this first time admittedly SUCKS and they will need to be rephrased and retold.

I am so mad at this chapter. So very, very mad. Because it was SO hard. Why didn't it just finish me off? Why beat me? Strangle me? Wrestle with me? Why taunt and play with me if it weren't going to just be ALL bad? Why show me it had SOME good?

I think it's because this chapter is trying to get me to pay attention to one very important fact. That writers, write. No matter what, no matter... WHAT. No matter how bad their hair looks on the first day of school. No matter how bad their first drafts are. No matter if the apocalypse is supposed to be upon us. We just DO it. It's our jobs, and more importantly, it's in our nature.

And I'm a so-called aspiring author, and you know what they do? They write! No matter if global warming is killing off all the penguins. No matter what people say about their books or their hair (seriously... is it that bad?!). No matter WHAT. Writers write. Authors author. Evil chapters evil. And that's just how it works.

Thank you all so much for encouraging me. Seriously, Arianna, Maya, Prerna, I don't know how to thank you. I would not have gotten through this chapter if I didn't have your love and support. I would have given up and then what? I wouldn't have been able to do this post! And that's boring... So thank you for your love. Thank you for your time and your comments. And I'll have you know, I feel okay. Really, I do. I have to pee, is all, but you know what? I'm okay with that.

Love,
Deserae
P.S. No I'm not hitting on you with this song! This is just my ghetto segue to introduce you to a cool, 18 year old author whose debut novel FALL TO PIECES is due this fall. Look for it! And go meet Vee! She loves this song, and, apparently, "you so much better when you're naked." :)

Commenting on Comments

Arianna- Thanks, Love. You have been my crutch, my first aid kit, my nurse, and my friend during this whole Chapter Thirteen debacle. I'm glad and honored that you'll be the first set of eyes to really look at it and see what's wrong with it. I need your brilliance. And a public congrats on finishing your own "Chapter of Evil!" I know your Ch. 15 was giving you trouble, but hey! You. Are. Done!

Prerna- I DO feel elation! Mostly relief, but there is some elation. One thing's for sure: the end is near. And that's always satisfying. Strange, but satisfying for sure. This fork is definitely different all the time. I'm just glad I WAS able to get over, under, around, past it. 

Maya- I SAW YOUR COMMENT!!! Blogger is being incredibly mean, and I'm sorry for that. But I'm going to do a whole separate post on your comment because it made me so happy so stay tuned. I loved it, and I've saved it, and I have it, and yeah--- don't fret! Thank you for posting something so incredibly sweet, helpful, and inspiring. Love you lots!