“When does a cucumber become a pickle?” asks a Louise Penny character trying to figure out when her happy boy turned into a surly teenager.
When did my heart strengthen? Sometime between March and August of this year, my heart returned from an almost fatal level of heart failure to nearly normal functioning thanks to a specialized pacemaker, newly available medication and cardiac rehabilitation.
Awesome. Amazing. Fantastic. I’m grateful. This is my best hope come true.
Exactly when did my heart strengthen so much? When had it weakened in the first place? Like a cucumber becoming a pickle; each was a process I barely noticed, a change I couldn’t date.
At what moment is a runner ready for a marathon? When do patterns become habits and habits a way of life? At what point does a student become an artist or a character become rooted in honesty and integrity? At what point does healing occur or relationships fray too much to be repaired?
No one can say when, during his years in prison camp, the late John McCain changed from a hard-partying naval brat into a man of courage and honor. It was a process. No one can say exactly when Dr. Christine Blasey Ford became a strong enough survivor to tell her story of sexual assault to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee considering Judge Brett Kavanaugh for the U.S. Supreme Court. It happened over years of hard work and healing.
We change our clothes in minutes. On the other hand, internal change–physical, emotional, spiritual, and attitudinal–happens over time.
When does a cucumber become a pickle? Cucumbers become bread and butter pickles in a week. Dill pickles need six months.
For pickles and people, the finished flavor is a matter of time in the brine. If we soak ourselves in distrust and disdain towards others, we become judgmental and sour people. If we repeatedly respond with bitterness or entitlement, we cannot help but develop a nature of such attitudes.
But if we repeatedly behave kindly, we become people who instinctively respond with kindness. If we act repeatedly with courage, honor and integrity we develop character imbued with these qualities. If we intentionally pause each day to give thanks, we become gracious, grateful people.
The good news is that we can dump out our brine and start afresh. Choose wisely and trust the process.
OH Barbara,
I have just read your two recent Blogs and have been reminded of just how clearly you “tell it like it is” (Please keep on reminding me of these life lessons) it also reminds me of just how much I miss our times together, most recently our phone visits. I will look forward to another. If not this week, when i return from a wonderful trip to include, theater in NY and a family visit with Carole in Florence, Italy.
Of course the best news was about your 💖 recovery. Is it safe to say that having been through what you have been through makes HEALTH even more precious ?
I am feeling that both you and Mark are in very good places in your life and for that I am grateful
Much love to you both Jean
>
Beautifully said. So glad to know you’re feeling so much better. 👏👏👍👍💜💜💜
So good to hear from you and such good news! Thanks for sharing. Much to ponder!!
Trust the Process…that’s another article on its own! We’re grateful you’re a sweet pickle! Keep pumping…these thoughts our way.
Very happy for you!! Best news in a long time. Love & prayers. K H Altaner @ WG.
Happy, hopeful news – and lovely language with a memorable message to all of us. Smiling for you, Barbara!
Barbara, I’m so glad the pacemaker and meds are working! It has been a long journey.
I hugged my doc. This is great.
Special people who patiently wait deserve wonderful outcomes. God Bless😊🙏🏻
Good news about your heart! What a difference in a few months! Thoughtful analogy!
Good news, indeed.
Wow! So good to hear!
Thanks. I think these pickles will preach.
I am soooooo excited to hear about this improvement! What good news. And I love the pickle quote and idea as well. Thanks for sharing such progress. May it continue to be so and improve! Peace. Anne