turning lemon into lemonade
I’m sure you would be familiar with the popular proverbial phrase “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Lemons suggest sourness i.e. difficulty or adversity in life; making lemonade is turning them into something sweet i.e. something positive or desirable. It’s widely used to encourage optimism and empower people to turn obstacles into opportunities, and convert setbacks and roadblocks as fuel to propel you forward to greater success.
It sounds great on paper, but if there’s one person who has actually embodied and lived this positive maxim, it’s Wally Amos, an author, entrepreneur, and the man who many consider to be the father of the gourmet cookie industry. He has turned lemons into lemonade so many times in his life that not only did he write a book titled Man with No Name: Turn Lemons Into Lemonade, but at one point of time he had an official portrait in which he holds a pitcher in one hand and a glass of lemonade in the other. Quite interesting, isn’t it?
“If life hands you a lemon, don’t complain, but instead make lemonade to sell to those who are thirsty from complaining.” — Napoleon Hill
Amos is someone who, despite having a professional journey nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, has remained an eternal optimist, and has never let his life circumstances get the upper hand over him. Never backing down from expressing joy and positivity, he refuses to acknowledge that obstacles we encounter in our path are anything other than the stepping-stones to success.
In his extensive career spanning several decades, Amos has encountered numerous storms and difficulties. He has climbed the summit of success, again and again, only to lose everything and be forced to start over from scratch. But he never lost his grit and confidence and persisted no matter how deep the valley was.
“Never lose hope. Storms make people stronger and never last forever.” ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
No matter the circumstances, Amos always chose faith over fear, optimism over pessimism, and progress over stagnancy. Rather than getting stuck in the prison of victimhood, he took consistent action to elevate himself and his circumstances, and return back to the realms of success where he truly belonged.
“You have to have the trust and faith to let go and not agonize,” he once said. “Don’t waste your time worrying. Worry is not preparation. Analyze the situation and focus on solutions. There is always an answer.”
