The Analogy of the Orange

If you squeeze an orange you will get orange juice. It doesn’t matter who squeezes it, where or when this is done, or what kind of implement is used. If you squeeze an orange, what comes out is orange juice.

The same holds true for each of us. When the pressure is on–regardless of when, where, why, or who is inducing the pressure–all that can come out is what genuinely is inside of us.

We are each responsible for what is inside of us. If we choose to be filled with negativity, envy, and bitterness, that is what we will exude. If we are filled with optimism, happiness, hope, that is what we will exude.

So how do we make sure we are filled with positive things so that when the pressure times come the best us can come out?

Shayne M. Bowen shared the following story in a talk:

There is a story told of an old Cherokee teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.

“It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves. One is evil: he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.”

He continued, “The other is good: he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you—and inside every other person too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Feed the positive each day by controlling your thoughts and actions so when life brings the squeeze only good can come out!

~Amy Rees Anderson