Much to my delight, it is Honeybell Oranges Season! Oh, how I look forward to this time of year! The Honeybells are only available for a short period of time, typically from mid to late January until the beginning of February. They are, in my opinion, the most incredible citrus fruit. They are a grapefruit/tangerine hybrid which are known for being incredibly juicy and having the most wonderful honey-sweet flavor and freshness. They are filled with so much juice, that they actually come with a bib for you to wear to protect your clothing! When you eat one, you will want to be sure to squeeze out every precious drop of delectable juice. When the boxes with my annual supply first arrive, I am very generous with them, sharing them with my family and friends. As the supply dwindles and the season sadly comes to end (which means I know I cannot get my hands on any more), I start hoarding and hiding these valued little jewels! I thoroughly enjoy each and every delicious Honeybell and am sad when the short season (as well as my supply) comes to an end. I really have to make sure to squeeze the most out of my inventory every year!
Back in August, I dropped my oldest son off at college in the mid western part of our country...a 12 hour car ride away from home. Upon saying goodbye, I presented him with a letter filled with my loving thoughts and motherly advice. One of the things I wrote to him was this: “I hope you squeeze every bit of juice out of that orange!” I knew he would know what I meant...that my hope and dream for him was that he would do more than just go to classes and then crash back in his dorm room. I wanted him to take advantage of every opportunity that his new home (for the next four years) would be offering him. He is at a large research university which is known for its special undergraduate programs, distinguished graduate and professional schools, large amount of student-run groups, esteemed alumni and a long history steeped in traditions. It didn’t take too long for him to settle in and he sure did hit the ground running. He has fully immersed himself in the campus community, attending the many lectures and presentations offered by visiting professors and dignitaries; volunteering to teach Sunday School to middle schoolers at a Spanish-speaking, inner-city school; accepting a position as the diversity chairperson for his dorm; and agreeing to mentor a local elementary student. As if all of this wasn’t enough to fill up his dance card, he is currently running for Student Body Vice-President, having been asked by an upperclassman to be his running mate. Suffice to say, the kid is taking my advice to squeeze every drop of juice out of the orange!
I have the pleasure of having many retirees as my students. It is extremely impressive when I hear them tell me about their busy and fulfilled lives. They are volunteering in our community, traveling around the world, organizing events and lectures, raising money for charitable causes, seeing the latest films, reading the most recently released books, teaching foreign languages to young people, and trying new foods and recipes. They show up at my classes after having already walked 4 miles or after swimming laps in the fitness center pool. They go to Zumba and Yoga and Tai Chi and so much more. They visit their grandchildren and volunteer at their schools. It is exhausting just hearing how busy they are. What I observe in each and every one of these incredibly special people is a true zest for life. Their eyes are bright, their brains are sharp, their conversations are interesting, and their energy is abundant. Their faces glow from the wonderful things they are doing each and every day. They are seizing every opportunity that is placed before them to live full and enriched lives. I am amazed that they find time to attend my classes and I am filled with gratitude every time they step into the room.
When the movie “Dead Poets Society” came out 31 years ago, the ancient Latin phrase “Carpe Diem”, meaning “seize the day”, once again became very popular. Robin Williams played English teacher John Keating and in the movie he famously said to his students: “Carpe Diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary!" This line was actually named as the 95th greatest movie quote by the American Film Institute. At the height of the movie’s popularity, everyone was talking about what they would do to create their very own “seize the day” moments and milestones. Sadly, you don’t hear it said much anymore. In fact, the modernized version is “YOLO”, as in “You Only Live Once”.
It seems like we are all wearing Fit-Bit type activity tracking devices these days on our wrists. This wearable technology has the ability to count our steps, track our blood pressure, calculate burned calories, monitor our sleep patterns and remind us to drink water and breathe. However, the last time I checked, they don’t have a way to determine if we are living out our dreams, pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones, or seizing the day. We are on our own for all of that. I have a lovely book of daily motivational quotes that was gifted to me by a dear friend. One of the quotes this week was: “One day or day one - you decide.” Isn’t that perfect for people like us who want to seize the day?
If I had enough Honeybells left, I would arrange to give you each one. It would make me happy to see you enjoying the delicious piece of fruit. We all know that my supply is scarce so that isn’t going to happen. A better idea is that you each squeeze the juice out of the proverbial fruit that life has placed in your hands. As you decide to make tomorrow Day One, I hope you leave no stone unturned, you build a fulfilling life for yourself and you remember these three words from me -Squeeze the Day!