So fellow travelers, many recent events in my own life and the lives of many I am blessed to call friends have me thinking about a concept known as “framing.”

“When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.”

It’s a familiar phrase, one which evokes an accepting nod of the head, an acknowledging shrug of the shoulders or  an aggravated rolling of the eyes.

Notice how those three actions symbolize different “frames of reference”  the contemporary psych speak for “perspective.”  Now take it a step further to the next thought or action. Think how each perspective will create a different result. One can see how each choice brings either a moment of refreshment, a missed opportunity or a charge of aggravated assault with a lemon.

Ok, maybe that last one was a bit extreme, but never underestimate the impact of a piece of fruit hurled with the full power of a woman’s frustration. There’s an old dent on the side of my camper which proves the point.

Sooooo, what does one do when life hands you the lemonade, all ready made? As I pondered this question a poem emerged:

What does one do when life

hands you not lemons but lemonade

all ready made

Unaware, indeed uncaring

if it’s served up cold or hot,

mixed to taste or not

No choice in how tart or sweet

or the glass it’s served

life’s got some nerve

Like a koan in zen this is when

with furrowed brow

one asks now what? or is it what now?

Walk gently on the path my friends and may adventure find you ready.