Mar 20 2011
MAKING LEMONADE OUTTA LEMONS
Hello, Cool People!
Thanks for visiting me this week.
I’m the first to admit that I can turn things and people inside out trying to understand them. That’s not only the reporter in me, but also the student of human nature. I’m working toward my doctorate in understanding my fellow human beings, especially men, but so far, I don’t even have my bachelor’s. Yup, I think a whole lot about bachelors, especially eligible ones.
While I’m guilty of being overanalytical, and, yes, picky, to me, that also means I look carefully at everything. The world and the people in it provide much to critique, but there is often a positive side to everything. So, this week, I present you with Molly’s Top Five List for Making Lemonade Outta Lemons.
#5: It sux to have the flu.
Who wants to lie in bed sweating out a fever or sneezing your way through a box of Kleenex until you look like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer doped up on Theraflu? If you’re anything like me, and that would be ridiculously busy, you’re always feeling guilty for not doing something: working out, cleaning your home, or breaking your back getting through all the stuff on your desk. So, when I’m sick, I consider it a guilt-free ticket to being self-indulgent, enjoying some long-needed sleep, snuggling with my cat, and watching whatever I want on TV. It’s not a day at the spa, but I kick guilt in the butt and make the most out of it. Chillax, peeps!
#4: It sux to get a gift that you absolutely detest.
On a recent birthday, my great-aunt in New Hampshire sent me a two-sizes-too-large pair of lavender pajamas. Trust me, people, even if they had been tailor-made to fit me, I wouldn’t have wanted my sheets to see me dressed in this shiny ensemble. The large green buttons screamed “clown,” and the PJs were a frightful assault on my fashion sensibilities. But they were expensive. Someone liked them enough to design and manufacture them. And oddly enough, they were hot sellers.
What’s a girl to do? Regift, that’s what. The following weekend, I went to Swansea Memorial, told the nurses I had a super present for the right person, and was escorted to the room of a long-term patient in a ratty gown who was beyond ecstatic to meet me and receive the lavender ensemble. Had I never received that deplorable gift, I never would have thought to give joy to a stranger and receive even more in return.
#3: It sux bad when friends are not who we thought they were.
Nobody goes through this life without losing a friend. Without losing several. No matter how freakin’ awesome we are, stuff just happens with people. Sometimes we walk away, sometimes it’s mutual, and sometimes people walk away on us. It hurts. But it’s difficult to comprehend when someone, whether male or female, turns out to be very different from the person we thought we knew.
Consider it a blessing. Revelations hurt, but they can also rock n’ roll. You learn from them; you save yourself from investing more of yourself with the person, and, most importantly, you save big buckaroonies on future birthday and holiday gifts.
#2: It sux when jealousy causes people to lash out or leave us.
Along these same lines, it’s sad when jealousy destroys people. Who hasn’t lost a friend because that person was jealous of our success, looks, dreams, desires, or other friends? What to do? Start by figuring out why that person was jealous of you. Take whatever positive quality you have, and know that even if it turned one person away for the wrong reasons, you can inspire and make another happy by gifting them with it. Hang with the peeps who appreciate you. Look around you; you’ll find them.
#1: It sux to have a hot prospect that doesn’t pan out.
Okay, so maybe my priorities are a bit out of whack. Maybe #2 and #3 are really more important in the bigger scheme of things. But at this stage of my life, I’m searching for the right man. And you, cool peeps, might be searching for the right man or woman of your dreams. If they don’t pan out, take it from me. Pass ‘em on (be nice now!). Just remember: every pot has a lid. And for those who are happily partnered, married, or significant-otherized, keep in mind that your special someone was probably once someone else’s bad date. Even me.
That’s a wrap. I’d love to hear your “lemonade” stories. Got a good one?
Yours in pickniness:
Molly
Ohhh how you’ve touched on a few pointers I can relate to and now I know what to do. Thank you Molly. Here’s to Lemonade 😀
As always, very insightful and entertaining 🙂
Well thanks, Twitchy! I’m jazzed you enjoyed your drink of lemonade. So glad you came by, g/f. YIP, Molly
Molly,
You have some valid points here! I think we all have felt these ways, at least once in our life time!
Hey Sheri,
Life is a constant drama. Don’t you think so, girlfriend? I try to be positive and use my own little “lemonade guide” along the way to maintain my sanity. And of course, as I’m sure you well know, humor — ALWAYS humor.
Yeah, Lemons suck … you’re workin’ those PJs though, girlie.
Ha ha ha! Some nice lady named Abigail is workin’ them now, Jen! But I’m grateful for those PJs for teaching me the true joy of regifting. Thanks for swinging by to see me again. YIP, Molly
Another entertaining, insightful, and humorous post by Molly Hacker who is single handedly making picky the new chic.
Stuart Ross, my friend. Don’t you put the “G” in gentleman? Thank you. I’m SO blushing from your kind comments.
Unbelievable! Those PJs look like somebody had way too much Easter on the brain! I was taught from a very young age to always be very graceful when accepting gifts. (As I’m sure you were.) So very nice of you to pass them along to somebody who could appreciate them! I’ll have to use that trick in the future.
On losing friends: you’re right. It’s a fact of life, and a sad one. And even though a friendship is hard to lay to rest, it’s best to do it gracefully for the sake of everybody involved. (Read: mutual friends!) The lemonade in that situation is the fact that, in my life anyway, the friends who decided the friendship wasn’t worth saving were usually the ones that caused me a lot of stress in the first place. When they were out of the picture it was like a one-way ticket to zen living!
Ha ha, Tamara! Yes, those PJs definitely had “special” Easter colors. Luckily, I received that gift in the mail so I didn’t have to “put on a good face.” I wrote a very gracious thank you to my great-aunt but I had to be careful. I was so afraid that if I went overboard on how much I loved them, that would be ALL she’d ever send me! Perish the freakin’ thought.
I’m lovin’ “one-way ticket to zen living!” Awesome! 🙂 It is always cleansing to rid ourselves of the unhealthy (or even toxic) energies in our life. YIP, Molly
One of my favorite blogs yet Molly!!! It happened to be one of those “lemon-only” days today and reading your blog, I actually feel like I could make lemonade! I love your picture of the pots and lids 🙂 cute! AND my ABSOLUTE favorite is the smiley lemons! OMG That in itself put a huge smile on my face! Your #5..being sick and feeling guilty… that’s definitely me. Now I can finally look at being sick in a “lemonade” sort of way. I love it! Thanks Molly! This blog has truly helped me more than you know! Until next week,
xoxo
Awww, thanks, Janet. I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been feeling so lemony. Fill your glass with lemonade, girlfriend, and you’ll be better in no time flat. In the meantime, no guilt! <3, YIP, Molly
Dearest Molly —-
Your story about regifting the PJs brought a tear to my eye. This is proof of what Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Beautiful. Will eagerly look forward to next week’s post!
law
Thank you, Leigh Ann. Wow, g/f, I never thought the regifting of those purple pajamas would bring the wisdom of Winston Churchill into the mix. But I did get great joy from passing on the PJs. The recipient of my gift told me she felt like a queen. And that made me feel like one.
Molly,
Well, I’m enjoying getting to know you. As a married woman, I find it interesting to see how a single lady is living these days. Not a pretty sight, I’m sorry to say! But then, it never is because men can be quite stupid. Anyway, I’m looking forward to your next post!
Thanks, Wendy. Delighted to meet you. I know they are some wonderful men out there in the world because I’ve met them. Just being picky until the right one comes along. 🙂
Nicely done, Molly. You make some wonderful points and observations. I think it’s wonderful that you’re taking some “real downers” in life and putting a positive spin on them. I like your style…especially now that the clown jammies are down the road.
Hi Al: So happy to see you stop by again. Life is filled with a lot of bummer moments, so I’ve made it a point to see the glass as half full. Lemonade is much tastier than sucking on a lemon. 🙂 YIP, Molly
Loved this one Molly! And the funny thing is, My husband was my bad date! Lol. We weren’t right for each other in High School, but when adulthood came around, we found each other again, and we were just perfect! Everyone changes over time. Sometimes for the better!
Rachael: I am lovin’ this story! Beautiful. How great that you guys hooked up again and found true love. Love everlasting is not always “love at first sight.” That’s for sure. <3
Hhhmmm.. I actually like the PJs Molly! Just another example of how one gal’s trash is definitely another gal’s treasure!
Ha ha! You’re so right, girlfriend. I’ve gotten some cool treasures from friends who just didn’t like something for one reason or the other. These were very nice PJs, but I’m just prefer a very different style of sleepwear. Giving these PJs away gave me much more pleasure than returning them for something else. Thanks so much for stopping by. Yours in pickiness, Molly