03.23.2016

The Lemon
I've never had much of an appreciation for the lowly lemon. When asked by waiters if I'd like my water with lemon, I'd politely decline and take my glass untarnished by the pesky side decoration. Lemonade didn't hold much of an appeal for me either because there wasn't enough cane sugar in the world to suppress that lip-puckering tart sensation. Truly, until recently, I was living in my lemon-free bliss-unaware of the impact an oddly shaped fruit could have on my outlook of life.

When I first dreamt up the possibility that I could actually start my own organizing business, I was fearful of the reaction I would receive. Stepping out into the unknown abyss of being a "small business owner" was a far cry from my everyday reality as a schoolteacher. However, the joy I felt through the freedom of an organized home was enough to propel me into a venture where I could help others live in that same freedom. I began thinking of what I wanted my business to stand for and how I could put my passion for organizing into a simplified logo. This is where lemons entered the picture.

One day as I was walking through World Market and ogling at their extensive supply of table décor, I noticed packages of fake fruit that lined the overstuffed shelves. A particular package of plastic lemons caught my eye. Something about their vivid yellow color made me examine the idea of a lemon in a new light. I began to think of how a lemon could relate to life. The common phrase, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade," popped into my head, as well as the cleaning solution of Pine-Sol. Feeling a little self-conscious about standing in an aisle of World Market while intently gazing at a package of fake lemons, I quickly put them in my basket and headed for checkout.

Later that day, my sister (an advertising wizard) sent me a color scheme of what she thought would be perfect for Joyful Organization's website. Lo and behold, a picture of a colander stuffed with lemons was on the color swatch. It seemed like more than an unusual coincidence, so I curiously began to search for the meaning of a lemon. I found that a lemon represents cleansing and the ability to make a change. Wow, what a perfect depiction of what I hoped Joyful Organization could bring to others- change and cleansing from a cluttered lifestyle. From that moment forward, I knew that the lemon would be a sort of "spirit fruit" like a "spirit animal" for me.



Now, with my fake lemons in a prominent spot in my kitchen, I am reminded to keep moving forward with my goal to help others achieve a clutter-free lifestyle. The idea of change can be daunting, but as a lemon once reminded me, the power to obtain a goal is always within reach.