When Life Gives You Lemons

Have you ever had one of those surprising and quite sour experiences like tasting a lemon?  Probably YES!  I think everyone of us have had those wide-eyed moments that leave us wondering "how did this happen?!"  These are often defining moments for us in our lives.  Turning points and opportunities for change and adjustments. 
Being an expat and living most of the year in another nation other than my mother or home nation has afforded me some special Lemon Moments. 
It is always interesting how I can think I have communicated so clearly and completely only to find that I haven't.  Even such a small thing as saying "haven't" vs "have not" can make a huge difference in another country where English is a 2nd language.  The little nuances of English such as the hyphenated words of do not (don't), have not (haven't), is not (isn't), can make communication challenging until you learn to say "do not" versus "don't".  Some of these communication hiccups can be avoided through good planning, and some will just happen because we speak and think in another language and cultural perspective.  And these moments can definitely be Lemon Moments!

---

 When I think of lemons, I then think of lemonade.  Wow what a different thought and taste!  Lemonade is that cool refreshing sweet-tart drink of summer.  That right mixture of the sweet and tart is often enjoyed by many.  So just by adding some sugar to the lemon, it can turn from sour and yucky to sweet and yummy!!  Is there a life lesson in this?  I think so!  When life gives us lemons...make lemonade.  So how does this really happen in the practical side of life?  Well....let me tell a story from my life to see what we can learn.... (click READ MORE)

---

So today is a great story to tell...Everything was normal in our routine of things.  Enjoyed a time of shopping at Fivi-Mart on Xuan Dieu (swan zeeoh) then a cup of latte and americano coffee at the new Starbucks down the road.  Everything was smooth and easy.  Even lunch at home was normal....though a little late.  THEN the twist for the day came!!  First, no fans, then we noticed no a/c, then the frig is off---NO ELECTRICITY!!  Well that blew our next plans of working on emails and other office tasks that needed internet and computers!  Once we researched and found out it was some kind of maintenance happening in the building then we had to decide our next response...

• We had to avoid the frustration trap
• We had to avoid the complaining trap
• We had to avoid the poor me trap
• We had to avoid the blaming trap
• We had to think outside of our box...the schedule we had set for the day
• We had to do what I call "mental gymnastics" and find a positive alternative
• Then putting on a smile vs a frown or scowl...we moved forward into our detour plan

A bike ride in Ciputra! AND what a beautiful time of day to have this activity and what beauty we enjoyed...(I have shared some pictures from our trek).  Then when we got back from this refreshing detour, the electricity was on again and we could continue with our other tasks...like writing this blog.  LOL! 

One of the bits of wisdom I have shared with people as they are in the middle of pain, grief, and just tough stuff...smile and see the good that still surrounds you!

So, I would encourage you to enjoy some lemonade today when you get some lemons delivered into your life!