Yesterday, my partner and I were walking through a rose garden and a magnificent orange tree surprisingly revealed itself to us.
I ran up with excitement and a deep urge to go orange picking.
As I looked up at the ripe oranges above, an old saying popped up in my mind, “Pick the lowest hanging fruit first.” This saying is usually used as a metaphor for tackling the problems that are easiest to solve. In that moment, I was delighted to be able to utilize the saying figuratively and literally.
I quickly scanned the oranges hanging above and realized, the lowest hanging fruits were not within hand’s reached.
Heck- even if I jumped with all my might I would only be able to grasp air between me and the oranges. Suddenly, the vision of holding a fresh ripe orange picked by me, began to lose its vividness.
How I wished the tree was shorter or I was taller.
Thoughts of all of the different items I wished were available ran through my mind- a ladder to help me climb the tree, a table to give me the extra bit of height to reach even just one of the ripe oranges above, or even a small crane to lift me up to the highest and most difficult fruits to pick.
At this point, I had a choice to continue to dwell on wishing for better circumstances to make it easy for me to pick the oranges, thank the tree and walk away, or look for another method to achieve my vision. We chose the latter.
This is where our RESOURCEFULNESS kicked in!
We thought about lifting one another to to get closer to the oranges, but figured it was not ideal. Then we started to look around to see what items were within reach to help achieve the vision. To our delight, laying conservatively within the semi-tall grass was the answer we were looking for- a sturdy, long branch. Just the right weight, so my tiny arms could lift it and with proper length to reach the shining fruits above.
With all my might, I picked up the branch, targeted the fruit within arm and branch reach, and oranges, began to fall from the sky!
I laid down my trusty branch, picked up the fallen oranges on the ground, and held the fresh ripe oranges in my hand.
MY VISION REALIZED.
……..
It’s now the morning after and it dawned on me that my encounter with the orange tree provides so many valuable life lessons:
Be open to unexpected blessings and be curious.
When encountering a problem, sometimes the first lesson that is most prominent in mind may not be the only lesson to utilize to find a solution.
Wishing the situation is different or I was different, did not take me one step closer to my goal, it only made me lose clarity of my vision.
Being resourceful is hands down, one of the most important skills in solving problems.
Keep the positivity and hope alive with eyes wide open for clues towards your vision.
Once the vision is realized, take time to celebrate and bask in the joy.
Solving problems with a partner is as fun and sometimes even more fun than solving it by myself. (Gracias amor.)
What have you done when the lowest hanging fruit is not easily within reach?
With <3,
Coach Cat
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