Dear friend,
This weather just keeps defying gravity. With it being so incredibly wonderful, I have tried to be outside as much as possible. Yesterday I ran 8 miles just so I could encounter beauty, and of course let my mind wander across the landscape of my own imagination. I don't know how you access genuinely useful thoughts without giving yourself to the grueling endeavor of exhausting your body.
My singular lovely wife and I visited not one, not two, but three apple orchards last Sunday. Surprisingly, they were all uniquely different. Granted they all had apple trees, but even the arrangement of those were diverse. It is the end of the season, so the pickings were slim-to-none. But again, being refreshed in the outdoors was the goal.
The first we went to was a major production. Goats, food trucks, big indoor store, playland for kids, numerous picnic tables and a small stage for a band. The trees weren't labeled and seemed a bit unruly. The second was the exact opposite. Small store, completely sold out. All the trees were labeled and in a very straight line. They however, had a trail which was a delight to walk.
The third was my favorite. The owners were new. The store was cozy. The trees were a mix of the previous two places. They had Rhubarb Jam which Michelle's grandmother used to make for her. I was personally fascinated by how different each location was operated.
SAME SAME, BUT DIFFERENT
You and I are living on the planet at the same time in history. We live in different states, but with the same laws. We work different jobs, doing different things, but get paid for our expertise, efforts and effectiveness. The parts of our bodies work the same, but function on quite a varying scale of ability. Our hearts and mind produce thoughts and feelings, yet differ so wildly, it's like we're completely different species. How is that?
I love it! I mean, in theory. And in reality I suppose, even when those differences create pain, disappointment, disbelief and complete instability. They also create wonder, joy, deep fulfillment and satisfying euphoria.
Have you encountered someone who was having a difficult time, when you were doing great? Or you weren't doing great and met someone who had it worse than you, but seemed to have a positive attitude? I genuinely love that about life.
MINDSHIFT
What if this week you were self-aware about similarities, differences and the part you play in impacting them positively?
PERMANENT
There were so many apples on the ground. It was a fun, rare find to see apples in the tree. And when I saw them, I was captivated. They are bunched up together which I imagine makes for an extremely full tree, when in season. We were just too late.
I'm grateful for seasons. I view life through that lens often. However, I'm also grateful for permanence. Even if the apples weren't there, the trees were. Whether dormant, in bloom or producing fruit, their roots retained their presence.
What's permanent for us? When not in a fruitful season, are we conscious of the endodormancy occurring inside, preparing us for future fruitfulness?
MINDSHIFT
What if this week you defined clearly what permanent factors are true, regardless of season? Then magnify them in your heart, mind and surroundings.
BLOSSOM, BABY
As you might expect, I liked the last place best, because the owners were the most engaging. We chatted about their purchase, updating and use of the facilities different from the previous owners. They knew nothing about apple orchards before they bought it. Come on. How crazy fun is that? I love the spirit of faith, adventure and risk.
Our character and core values create the permanency that fuel and enable the different seasons of opportunity - whether we succeed or fail, at least we blossom.
The variety of what outcomes can look like in our life are the same as APPLES: pie, sauce, cider, donut, butter, muffin, jam, juice, fritter - multiplied by how many different kinds of apples there are (I'd never even heard of some of them) gives us the magnificent delicacy of life itself. The only request I have is, don't be a rotten apple or fritter your life away... 🍎
SHIFTING
What if this week you examined the fruit in and from your life?
