Four cups for blackberry cobbler.
A few
weeks ago, a construction worker pointed out that we have blackberries growing less than thirty feet from our front door. In fact, this is the area we hope to one day have a garden. I take that as confirmation. We have our first “harvest” and I had not noticed them. He picked a few berries and handed them to me. They were so delicious and sweet.
I resolved to take a container out there the next day or so to pick a bunch of them. When I did, I reached in and OUCH! A thorn stabbed me. He might have warned me to be careful. I didn’t know that blackberry bushes are riddled with thorns and even the leaves have painful stickers. My new motto for picking blackberries is look up, look down, look under, and look
out!
Now it makes sense why strawberries and blueberries come in larger containers and blackberries tend to come in smaller containers. There's a price to pay for these heavenly treasures.
Not only are there thorns and stickers to (try to) avoid, but depending on how deep into the bushes you go, ticks and chiggers are serious adversaries to contend with. I tend to pick blackberries impulsively. I say I’m only going to pick a few to eat
and then I can’t stop myself from grabbing more and stretching into the brush, beyond the easiest ones to reach.
A few ticks and a serious bout with chiggers, despite a long soak after picking, has reminded me to be
extra extra cautious. Now when I pick blackberries, I try to come better prepared with long sleeves, jeans, knee-high boots, and bug spray! But sometimes the call is sudden and I'm picking blackberries again in PJ's.
For
most things worth having, there is a price to be paid. These blackberries are abundant and delicious. I’ve made two cobblers already and I put them in my oatmeal and yogurt. And there’s nothing better than eating them right off the bush. I don’t love pricking my fingers, arms and legs every few seconds, despite wearing protective clothing and trying to be extra careful. But the blackberries are so good and so easily had, that it’s worth it to me.
Soon, in September I will be going to St George Island for two back-to-back weeks of Paint Paddle & Play. September is a wonderful time to visit this island. Crowds have gone home and the temperature is still perfect for walking, sunning, swimming and reading
under an umbrella.
I rent umbrellas and chairs from a local beach service for the retreat. Because September falls within sea turtle hatching season, the local volunteers strongly suggest we bring everything up from the
beach at the end of the day so as not too obstruct the hatchlings’ path to the ocean. This means that the lounge chairs and umbrellas must be brought back to our beach house nightly, even though they are a bit clunky to move.
One of the retreat guests last year was extra helpful with this nightly task, but couldn't help but express how nice it would be not to have to do that. I agreed and yet it's a trade-off. By coming in September, we have warm temps yet miss all the crowds. The price for that is having to move the umbrellas and chairs every night to support the local wildlife. Is it worth it? Absolutely. If I stay focused on the benefits of coming in September, I can consider moving the beach equipment a
small price to pay for a deserted beach.
Maintaining perspective is key. When we do anything with a cost involved, we have to remember what we hope to gain. Remembering to ask ourselves "Is it worth it?" will usually
adjust our attitudes so we can remember why we chose to pay the price in the first place.
So when feeling the painful blackberry bush jabs, and picking needles out of my hands at night, I answer, yes, it’s worth it for
the taste of fresh blackberries.
When I'm lugging the chairs and umbrellas back to the house every night this coming September, I will give thanks for the ability to enjoy a private beach with so few people on it.
As I work on writing this daily meditation blog, when I would really rather be outside playing with cats or reading a book, I remember how great it feels to complete another week’s email and to hear you tell me that it made a
difference in your day. That's reason enough to trade my time outside or at the easel.
What are you doing today and at what cost?
Are you complaining?
Did you choose it? (If you're over 18, the answer is
likely yes, even when you don't want to admit it.)
We always have choices. We may feel trapped, but it’s only because we don’t like the consequences of making a different choice. But we do have a choice.
So let’s imagine you have a job you hate (insert any circumstance you’re currently not loving). Stop for a moment and ask, “Why did I take this job?” Perhaps it's because you enjoy having a roof over your head, and over your
loved ones' heads? You probably like having food to eat and the ability to buy basic necessities and pay utility bills. These are great reasons to work and if the only job available is one you don't like, there's still much to be grateful for.
A bigger issue might be looking at how to love the job you have, or how to find the courage to pursue a different job. Either way, and in all circumstances, we consider the price we pay for the reward we receive. As adults, we choose what we deem to be "worth it," or not. Owning our choices feels a lot better than complaining and blaming others for where we are in life.
Owning your choices gives you ownership of your life. Taking personal accountability for where you are and where you’re going is true freedom!
~From Finding the Gift, August 15, Owning My Choices
For today, happy choosing what prices are worth paying, and may you fully enjoy the rewards!
