Oranges aren’t the only fruit

An orange tree produces oranges.   An apple tree produces apples.  The trees that they come from are identified by the fruit displayed.  Cross-fertilisation of fruit produces a hybrid.  The purpose of this process is to get rid of the deficiencies and increase the strengths.    

We have the ability to produce fruit, in terms of those behaviours that influence our surroundings.  Some can be identified as love, joy, peace, tolerance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  These fruit bring a pleasant taste to the environment we live in.  Evidence of other fruit - hatred, sadness, insecurity, spite, evil, discrimination, harshness and selfishness - brings a sense of discomfort, disappointment, despair and bitterness. 

Each day, the experiences it unfolds, and the people we interact with, present opportunities to decide which seed will fruit and be on display thus impacting our environment.  At that point we have the power to control the cross-pollination process.

‘It wasn’t me!’

You’re part of a team and a mistake is made in performing the task.  ‘Everyone’ knows about it.   What’s your reaction?  Options are:

• Protest your innocence, since you were present but not directly involved 
• State very clearly that you were not there when it happened 
• Offer to be the scapegoat and have the blame laid on you 
• Get angry and look for someone to take responsibility
• Sulk and complain to anyone who will listen
• Select who you think is the weakest link,  placing total blame on them
• Accept the criticism and move on as mistakes happen
• Accept the criticism and suggest improvements to the methods of working                                                                      

Which approach is most effective?  What gives it power?

Variety adds spice

It was one of those mornings where the rain and sun had been fighting for for the skies.  As I entered a building a young lady stated that she hated this country because of the weather and its changability. This led to me thinking about the variety of weathers we experience, and the saying this is the spice of life.

Spices add flavour to food, and without them much of what we eat would be tasteless. Practically every country has roots, seeds, barks and substances which can be used for this purpose.  Our tongues through exposure, have become accustomed to the breadth of flavour brought by these.  Their aromatic, sweet, pungent, warm, vibrantly coloured, delicate, preserving, protecting, flavour masking, medicinal substances add choice, harmony, and pleasure to our world.   Our experiences and the people in them are the spices in our lives.

Variety gives us opportunity to practice flexibility and enterprise. It challenges us to rise to become tomorrow, what we aren't today.  In some societies rain is regarded as a blessing, and we all love the sunshine, except in drought situations. No one wants that with its promise of dryness, barreness and lack. Rain is a necessary element of life because without it rivers don't flow, plants are not watered, produce of the land is not harvested, foodstuffs can't be processed and death quickly comes.  Rain has cleansing and restorative properties.

Spice gives the variety that we need to ignite our imagination; rainy times help the good stuff in us to grow.

What are the spices in your life? How do they enhance your living?

Trays R Us

I was at an event the other day where the rule was whoever had the tray could speak. As I looked at it I saw a metaphor for life.

Some trays are well cared for, become old, and highly valued. Others are bashed about and chipped through frequent, though not necessarily careless use. Trays are eventually thrown away and new ones produced every day somewhere in the world, in different materials, sizes, shape, colour and pattern. They are designed depending on size, to hold a few things, but sometimes carry many. They can become overloaded, with spillages leaving them dirty, in need of cleaning.  If left unclean, they become germ-ridden health hazards. An empty tray is ready, waiting for use, but a decision has to be made exactly how. A broken one, depending on the damage may be repaired and used again. An unused tray attracts dust, and if left in a cupboard can be forgotten.

Trays are manufactured for specific purposes but are sometimes utilised for different reasons depending on perceived need, which can be ill-judged. A stack of trays is much potential at various levels waiting to be used. So, as we look at our own lives we have opportunity to make decisions about our purpose and how we will be used. We have opportunity to live life to the best of our ability, so it at least does not lay empty, unused, misused, hidden or forgotten.