Will 2020 go down in history as a lemon? Perhaps the sour highlights will outweigh the fresh and sunny parts. There are countless year-end reviews talking about failure and disappointment. We can tally up the losses; globally, personally, societally. But you’re reading a blog called All Good Things, and it is my mission to carve out a way forward when the path gets dark.
There’s no denying that the last year provided all of us our fair share of lemons/obstacles. But maybe as we pass the baton to 2021, we can reflect on how we strengthened our courage in the face of discouraging circumstances. I am excited for the new year and all the ways I’m going to employ that courage.
Lisa Congdon’s creativity and wisdom in her art carves a way forward for ME when the path gets dark.
I’ve said before that I don’t make beginning of the year resolutions, but that I strive to live a resolute life all year long. Every day I start from zero and do my best in the small moments that lead me to the big moments.
I recently came upon Shaunta Grimes who has written about the theory of 1% Infinity that has put both a name and an energized focus to my own practice.
“What if you did something every day, forever, that made you just one percent better at something that you wanted to be really good at? One percent infinity.
It means setting a goal to improve one percent, over and over again, forever. One percent is not very much. It really isn’t. It’s tiny. The goal is to improve every day. Period.”
Little by little, I get closer to my goals. My cumulative, continual efforts grow larger and larger and my goals get smaller and smaller as I approach them. I just have to keep going. One percent at a time. Infinity. There’s no end, I just keep going and I get better and better.
It doesn’t even have to be a big destination goal. I can improve in all areas.
I can be
1% more kind.
1% more patient.
1% a better artist.
1% a better listener.
1% closer to finishing my book.
I can get 1% better sleep.
I can consume 1% more water.
I can consume 1% less sugar.
I can save 1% more money.
I can devote 1% of my day to more prayer/meditation.
And on and on.
Last year was difficult. I don’t want my sunny-side-up collection of words to diminish anyone’s experience or brush tragedy and suffering under the rug. We’ve come so far. We have the rest of our lives to go. That’s good news!
“Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.” ~William Ellery Channing
Join me as I raise a glass to the new year and our strong human spirits! When life gives you lemons, and if you don’t drink alcohol, by all means, make lemonade! If life gives you lemons and you are one that can tolerate alcohol, make limoncello!
I made limoncello for the holidays and gifted these sweet bottles to a few friends. I fell in love with limoncello in Italy years ago and wanted to remind myself of those hopeful times of gathering and travel. I love how it’s a combination of bitter (lemons,) sweet (sugar,) strong (vodka,) and mild (water) flavors that transform in a few days time to a balanced and celebratory beverage. Cheers to the new year, my friends. Wishing you all good things!
Limoncello
by Giada De Laurenetiis
10 lemons
1 (750-ml) bottle vodka
3 1/2 cups water
2 1/2 cups sugar
Using a vegetable peeler, remove the peel from the lemons in long strips (reserve the lemons for another use). Using a small sharp knife, trim away the white pith from the lemon peels; discard the pith. Place the lemon peels in a 2-quart pitcher. Pour the vodka over the peels and cover with plastic wrap. Steep the lemon peels in the vodka for 4 days at room temperature.
Stir the water and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Cool completely. Pour the sugar syrup over the vodka mixture. Cover and let stand at room temperature overnight. Strain the limoncello through a mesh strainer. Discard the peels. Transfer the limoncello to bottles. Seal the bottles and refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours and up to 1 month.
