Sometimes You Just Need A Cookie

Everything I need to know, I learned from peanuts...

**Here is the first update from my desk at work. Look for many more when I'm not busy at work....

The title says is all folks. Truer words have yet to be spoken on this rock we call the Earth. I was sitting at my desk when Jimbo came over wit his usual hand full of goodies that he steals from various places in the office. Somedays its lollipops, others its jellibeans, and on special days maybe a mini butterfinger, but today.... today was something special.
Jim handed me a nice handful of peanuts, no not the Planters ones, or the honey roasted ones, I'm talking the original Ballpark peanuts, still in the shell. As I munched on these sweet morsels, I had an epiphany! We can learn so much from peanuts, because peanuts are the ultimate metaphor.

Through peanuts, we can teach the world patience. You can't just use brute force to open the shell, because you might damage the peanut inside. Instead, opening the peanut shell is an art. You have to be gentle, yet use enough force to open it. You have to love the peanut. Caress it if necessary. And then once you have mastered the art and patience of opening it, you can learn the next lesson from the peanut.

Not all rewards are equal to the work you put into it, and therefore, don't do things just for rewards. You can spend a great deal of time trying to get those peanuts out of their shells, but only get one or two tiny peanuts that don't satisfy your hunger at all or make you more hungry and a hell of a lot more thirsty. So does that make shelled peanuts not worth it? No! It makes them that much more enjoyable. Because you earned the peanut inside. No matter how big or small the reward is, you get something out of doing something for yourself. Whether it's pride, self confidence, happiness, or just a simple peanut, you get a reward out of everything you do. Just be careful not to fall into the greedy trap and expect more more more. Around now, these lessons are starting to sink in, and then suddenly the third lesson hits you.

Enjoy the simple things in life, the little things that make this world so wonderful. What would this world be like with out the little things that make our lives so special. For all the work we put in things, we have the great ability to see the little things we get out of it. Never lose this, and NEVER take for granted the things around you. One day, those things might be lost and gone forever. I know what you're saying, "So what if I can't open up shelled peanuts anymore (arthritis, amputation, loss of strength, anything could happen) I can always eat unshelled peanuts." Ok, if you want to take that route, fine, but when your eating your freebie unshelled peanuts by the handful, I want you to look over at that kid (a kid much like yourself at his age) who is eating and enjoying shelled peanuts. The look of satisfaction on his face and the look of gratification overwhelming him with each peanut he is able to eat. So with that image burned into your mind, I want you to never forget... "Don't take things for granted, one day those things might be lost and gone forever."

Do you see how peanuts can help solve/relate to any problem you have? Seriously try it out:

Relationships - Are you doing all the work in the relationship (calling, talking, motivating, loving, surprising, opening peanuts...etc.) and not getting any reward (satisfaction, love, companionship, trust, feelings, no peanuts...etc.)? Well then you might need to re think you relationship. Not saying break up with that person or stop hanging out with that friend, but maybe talk to them, enlighten them that both halves need to make the whole. Maybe talk to him while eating a handful of shelled peanuts....

Work - Are you putting in so many hours at work and not seeing a dime for it? (unshelling a peanut only to find one or no peanuts inside)? Well then you need to hang in there, because good things come to those who wait (the bonus three peanuts in one). But also, you might need to branch out and see if your in the right company/field (try and different brand of shelled peanuts). But whatever you do, don't give up (unshelled peanuts), and always try your hardest, because you will be reward in some way (Buy one bag of peanuts get one free at Shaws this week.)

So as you can see, this theory of mine, can be related to almost anything in life. So I urge you to keep on trying your hardest (opening peanut shells) and look out for those little things in life that are sometimes the biggest rewards (the triple peanut bonus).

Keep On Rocking In The Free World!!

posted by Greg @ 11:07 AM