Have you ever dreamt of being one of your idols, Mark Zuckerberg? Evan Spiegel? Sophia Amoruso? If you wanting to become one of them, you have to do what others won’t do to stand out from the crowd. There is no way that easy work can lead to a successful future, it’s all about doing […]

via When Was The Last Time You Did Something Ordinary and Become Successful? — Cognizance

https://www.edensgardenjuices.com

A couple of months ago I was at the tasting event, “Explore West Harlem.” It was hosted by the NY Women’s Chamber of Commerce. I must say I had the most refreshing cold pressed juice from Eden’s Garden Juices. The mantra for their brand is “I decide, I am…enough”

Really, all we can do is put our best foot forward everyday. You can and should study or work as hard as you can. Yet, most times the world doesn’t seem to pay you back or return in kind your best efforts.

“I decide, I am…enough” is just accepting the way things have turned out. There’s always this pull to make things better, push harder, well if you’ve done all that and nothing has budged, it’s time to say, “I decide, I am…enough” Here’s a brand I can truly identify with. Genius.

There are some things beyond our control. What a humbling thought. It’s not about quitting or giving up. You just have to come to a peaceful place where you’ve given it your best shot.

Now is the time to pause, reflect, and review. What’s working what’s not.

It’s here where you rejuvenate yourself and rest for a while. Take a break. Look at the full picture of life, instead of seeing yourself running here and there to make a deadline. Now’s the time to sharpen your tools and get ready for the next phase.

Thanks, Eden’s Garden Juices for that lesson. It took time to understand. Truly a brand to be proud of.

I’ll also like to make mention of another company at the West Harlem event, Honor Thy Sweets, LLC. This small business makes memorable vegan cupcakes. Very moist and guilt free small bites of deliciousness.

 

Today, was the first time I actually had a pomegranate. Sure, I drank pomegranate juice before. Getting at the seeds looked like too much of a hassle. Too much work for so little reward. Gulping down a mouthful of juice, yeah that was where it was at.

Some weeks ago I saw some pomegranates at a corner store for $1.29 and made a mental note to buy two. One for me and one for my dad. You see, dad has been suffering from dementia for some time now. I have tried to engage him with new but simple experiences through food. As with any change of his diet, I googled and found that pomegranate just like grapefruit would be a contraindication to his heart medication. The vitamin K in pomegranate is not needed in his diet.

That was the plan. Dad is now in a nursing home. The plans we have get abruptly shifted.

You see, becoming a copywriter would have allowed me the freedom to assist my dad. I wanted to work from home. It’s because of my dad that I was able to get the training as a copywriter. He wanted to be with me and I with him.

An Haitian aide at the nursing home so richly coined the creole phrase, “You are your dad’s walking stick.”

Now he’s in the hands of others.

Another aide encouraged me to bring food for him. It won’t be the same. You see it was just a few steps from the kitchen to the dining room table.

Yes, eating a pomegranate takes some time. Much like caring for a loved one who can no longer do much for themselves. Dad’s diaper changes, bathing, getting him into bed, trying to get him to verbalize his feelings took time. Getting dad up early and bathed in the mornings, I was always met with, “I’ll do it later.” I had temp. jobs to get to and would say back , “Dad you are going to make me late for work.” He always shrugged his shoulders.

Not anymore.

As I sat and dug into the pomegranate it was much like savoring each time I had reached out to my dad. It took time to get at those tiny seeds.

I am on the couch with my pomegranate, I look across and the hospital bed in the living room is empty. Hoping to see dad there, instead,  I reach down and place a pomegranate seed in my mouth.

Thanks dad. You’ve done all you could.

Every time I eat a pomegranate I’ll always be reminded of all my father has done for me. One seed at a time.

It takes time to eat a pomegranate.