Do you have the juice?
I do. It’s organic, it’s fresh. And it was made with my Omega MM900HDS Low Speed Masticating Juicer. This is not a drill, nor is it an ad, so please stay with me here! I’m going somewhere with this… Last month, I had an epiphany. I finally realized why I once thought I would die young.
I thought I’d die young because I knew I couldn’t sustain life as I knew it.
I thought I’d die young because I was not living my life for myself.
I thought I’d die young, and I was right.
The old me died back in 2020.
The new me? Well, she was born on a concrete highway while crossing state lines, or maybe amongst the trees during an emotional nature walk, or perhaps on the carpeted floor the first time I hit plow pose during a yoga session… 2020 was a life changing year for most of us.
For me, the changes were lessons and blessings. I spent most of 2021 traveling – finding home in different zip codes, and connecting with myself on different levels. And now, here we are: 2022.
2022 is the Year of the Juice.
This year, on September 11th, I will turn 30 years old. As someone who thought she would meet her demise early, this year is symbolic for me. The metaphorical death I experienced in my late twenties was necessary, and I find that my subsequent rebirth is not only necessary, but also rapidly reoccurring, and yet, it is always brand new. I do not have a bucket list for my 20’s, but I do know what my mission is heading into my 30th year on this Earth.
I’m making juice.
“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
We’ve heard the phrase time and time again. Personally, it doesn’t resonate. I’ve always been the type to ask follow up questions to quotes like that. Like, “What if life gives you apples instead?”
I’ve learned in my twenties that while life may give you lemons, it will also hand you a bunch of grapes when your hands are full, slip a watermelon into your mailbox, and email you a stack of strawberries the moment you clear your inbox.
Life is unpredictable, and I’m not keen on being stuck trying to make grape lemonade. That is why my first major purchase this year was a nearly $400, low speed, masticating juicer. Because…
I’m making juice instead.
Literally AND metaphorically, I intend to pick the finest of fruits and vegetables available, and juice em. I intend to extract the nutrients, the nourishment, the good stuff, and leave the rest behind – in all aspects of this life of mine. And I encourage you to do the same.
I refuse to keep trying to make lemonade when I’ve evolved way past that. I’d rather make lemon juice to pour over my salad. I refuse to let my fruit rot, for the benefit of another. I’d rather squeeze out every last drop while it’s fresh, and claim the substance that I deserve.
I am so thankful that I’ve realized that I am deserving.
I am thankful for this life of mine.
I’m thankful for clarity.
I’m thankful for awareness.
I’m thankful for this publication, We Out Here Magazine, and the flexibility my Editor in Chief, Mac, extends to me, allowing me to grow with this role and continue to contribute in ways that align with my life.
I’m thankful for Maryam Hasnaa & Shelby, who are two amazing women that I’ve only met via social media, but learned so much from and seen myself within. Their words, displayed below, resonate with me. They seem to share my sentiments and seeing my thoughts, written in the words of others, is comforting.
They get it. Do you?
…If you don’t yet, I know that someday you will.
And hopefully the next time someone asks you:
Do you have the juice?
You’ll have a great story to tell.
– Akunna