When life gives you lemons, make carrot cake. I know you’re thinking that’s not how the saying goes. Plus, lemonade is delicious and refreshing, so why would I do anything different?
This saying teaches us to look at life with optimism. At Beagle FX, we say your lemons can be something more than lemonade. Everyone makes lemonade out of lemons, go your own way and "Be Distinguished" (and optimistic).
A couple of weeks ago, I had some tough news. There was some ugly crying involved and, then I quickly went through various stages of grief. You know the ones denial, anger, baking…oh wait, was that bargaining? Well I skipped the bargaining and went straight to baking. Baking is what I do when I’m stressed, feeling a loss of control or need to get out of my own head for a bit. The added bonus is that it usually results in a tasty comfort.
On this particular occasion, the basket of lemons became a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Carrot cake was my original baking escape. I did always enjoy eating it. I could pretend it was semi-healthy (it’s not). There were bound to be carrots and cream cheese in the fridge that needed a purpose. With my carrot cake completed on this occasion, I took a picture and sent it to a friend with my lemons into carrot cake line.
As I’ve had time to sit back and reflect over the last couple of weeks, this phrase has become more of a mantra for what’s to come. During this period of reflection, I happened across a line I wrote in a college essay about my future. “I want to do something different, something that has the potential to make a difference in the life of at least one other person.” This particular dose of lemons helped me realize that I have accomplished that goal, AND I’m not done. My goal every day is to work toward leaving the world a better place than I found it. Whether picking up trash, teaching our munchkin intern to help those in need or helping someone else focus on what really matters, all the small things add up to a big difference in our world. How you do those small things is up to you.
I’m a big fan of musicals, there’s usually a song that sums up how I’m feeling in any given minute. “The Greatest Showman” tells us, “I am bold, I am brave, I am who I’m meant to be.” Be uniquely you, you don’t have to make lemonade just because society tells you to.
Starting Beagle FX is a big part of my college goal. We can help you celebrate the unique you or those you love with a one-of-a-kind design. My goal is for you to smile every time you walk by it hanging in your hall. Then I will have made a difference in your life.