The Exploding Easter Eggs: A Story of Lost Potential

A Lingering Tale of Pent-up Potential

It was almost 50 years ago but the story is still fresh--or perhaps I should say 'lingering'. I've always loved to paint things, and that included the beautiful eggs laid by the ducks and geese we raised at my childhood home. 

So when I was invited to join my friend, Marilyn for her family Easter Dinner in 1969 I hard-boiled, then hand-painted in intricate detail a dozen BIG, beautiful geese eggs to gift to her family for their Easter dinner table. The family admired the eggs with the proper exclamations of appreciation before setting them on the dinner table. 

Easter Dinner with the Jenkins 1969

 But thinking the delicately painted eggs were too pretty to break open and eat, Marilyn's mother carefully stored them instead-- intending to bring them out to enjoy the following Easter--and for many years after. 

But sometime in the year--long after the eggs were put to bed and forgotten--the Jenkin's house was suddenly infiltrated with an overwhelming and rotten odor--leaving the family holding their nose in disgust. 

After searching everywhere for the source of the odor someone opened the cupboard and discovered the beautifully decorated exploded rotten eggs. 

Their previously appreciative coos of ooh and ah for the beauty of the painted eggs quickly changed to cringing cries of Ew! and Phew! in response to the nose-burning stench of rotten eggs. 

So here we are 50 years later, and the story still lingers...And I'm sure to hear from Marilyn about this post. But might we at least gleam some lesson from the lingering story? 

For me the lesson is clear: You can't preserve the past--no matter how pretty--you must break open your shell and move on. Or as C.S. Lewis wrote, 'We must be hatched or go bad.' 

The Egg~The Ultimate Symbol of Fertile Beginnings and Life Potential 

Throughout the ages, the egg has served as the ultimate symbol of fresh starts in life. Within it's shell, the egg holds the promise of emerging life--birds that fly and people who soar. But that promise remains pent-up potential until the egg is hatched. 

'We must be Hatched or Go Bad' ~ C.S. Lewis

As I was thinking about the exploding egg story I came across this C.S. Lewis quote and my mind began to intertwine the story with the quote. 

Lewis's contention is we were born to fulfill our full potential. We cannot stay an egg--even a good or beautiful egg--and learn to fly or become what we are meant to be. 

There is only one outcome for remaining in the shell....you go bad. You must come out of your shell  if you are to learn to fly.....

 'You cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg'

C.S. Lewis

'It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird'~











'But it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg.'
 

'We are like eggs at present.'

You may be a good egg in a beautifully crafted shell but if you are to become all that you're meant to be....

'You cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg.' 

Even Good Eggs must Hatch or Go Bad

'We must be hatched or go bad.'  C. S. Lewis










Don't go bad, break free. Stop hiding behind a beautifully crafted shell. Hatch, learn to fly, and reach for the stars. 

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For more than 35 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes letting go and moving forward with life easier than ever before.

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Feeling Betrayed and Bitter? Let Self-Imposed Constraints Go~Get on with Living

'Life becomes easier when you learn 

to accept an apology you never got.' 

Robert Brault

What Hurts?

❤ Who or what has hurt or betrayed you?

❤ What are you bitter about?

❤ Where in your heart of hearts do you feel life has done you wrong?

❤ How have you closed yourself off? What makes you hurt inside?

Getting Past the Downside of Life 

Sometimes life lets you down--that job you wanted that slipped through your fingers; that love interest who did you wrong; that organization that treated you poorly; that economy that failed you; that family member making your life miserable as they mess up their own; or that friend who slighted you without apology.

Sure, things happen in life leaving you feeling betrayed and bitter. But why let it keep you dug in and stuck for a lifetime? Acknowledge and name what you're feeling, and sit in your sorrow for a while. Then get ready to dig yourself out of the dark place and get on with living.

When you're ready to brush yourself off and get back on top of the world, let it go and move on. Why? --Because you're worth it.

Don't Belittle Yourself; Be Big Yourself

Corita Kent

'Be Big Yourself'

Consider how that hurt and bitterness you're harboring inside is getting in the way of you freely engaging in or enjoying your life. What good things would open up in your life if you let these soul-killing feelings go?

❤ Have you isolated yourself because you're hurt or bitter about how someone treated you? 

❤ Have you failed to seek help for yourself to deal with the situation because you're bitter and angry because it's someone else's problem (e.g. attending Adult Child of Alcoholic  or Al-anon/Alateen meetings.)?

❤ Have you refused invitations to get together with friends or family because you're home licking your wounds?

❤ Have you failed to apply for a job because you're bitter about the last job interview?

❤ Did you fail to ask that new person out because the last one hurt you?

❤ Is that bitterness about making less than you deserve getting in the way of you appreciating the good things in the job or zapping your energy to look for a better paying job?

Let go feeling betrayed and bitter by acting from your BIG self--knowing you have what it takes to move through whatever challenge life presents you. 

Start by acknowledging you're strong and you desire a fully-engaged life free from self-imposed constraints. 

Treat yourself with compassion--know you're worthy of a life free from the constraints bitterness imposes on your way of life.

Cleanse Yourself of Hurt and Bitterness

When you consciously cleanse hard feelings out of your soul you make room for more uplifting and positive experiences to show up. 

You'll see opportunities you were blind to when you stop wasting your energy nursing the hurt and bitterness. Stop stuffing and harboring your bitter feelings; cleanse them and move on.

'People grow through experience 

if they meet life honestly and courageously. 

This is how character is built.'  

Eleanor Roosevelt

Forgive and Release Hard Feelings

Do you care enough about yourself to forgive and let go of the bitterness? 

Forgiving and letting go of the bitterness isn't about the other person or organization--it is about freeing yourself to take back your own power and sense of control.

The hardness and bitterness you hold on to takes away your power; forgiveness and letting the bitterness go gives you back your power. 

Stand tall, stay calm, and remember you have the power to move your life forward.

  

 'Toss your dashed hopes not into a trash bin 

but into a drawer where you are likely to rummage some bright morning.' 

Robert Brault

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For more than 35 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes letting go and moving forward with life easier than ever before.

Do you know someone who could benefit from uplifting messages? Please share Lightarted Living with them. If you or someone you love is interested in learning more about closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, join the FREE Lightarted Living mailing list. 

Overwhelmed? How to Slow Down and Start Over

Starting Over

If you've been struggling to regain your balance and sense of happiness after being knocked around by stress, illness, loss, or sadness open your doors to happiness by following these 3 time-tested keys to regain your momentum.

Stop and Start Over

 1. Take the First Step 

Not much has changed in the thousands of years humans have been facing and recovering from the hardships of life. As Lao Tzu stated so long ago, 'a journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step'. 

We fuel our inner strength and sense of resiliency by taking action and walking through doors. But sometimes when faced with 'a journey of a thousand miles' we can be overwhelmed with the daunting task of where to begin. What is the first step? Which door to open first?

The good news is any first step will do. Your hope, resiliency, and personal strength will grow stronger with every step you take. It doesn't matter what the first step is. 

As you experience yourself being pro-active and physically taking action, your ability to cope and hope will improve. So start with a single step--any step-- and then take another.

2. Take Small Steps

An old Chinese Proverb says, 'The man who moved a mountain is the one who started taking away the small stones'. When you're in total overwhelm mode, start 'taking away the small stones'--one small step, then another. 

Unleash Your Enthusiasm by Slowing Down

3. Slow Down to Speed Up

Sometimes when life picks up speed that is the moment you need to slow down and just BE, experiencing life without trying to make it happen.

Provide yourself a respite from worry--a time free from focusing on your 'all important' future--a focus sure to keep your anxiety level high and you on constant fear-danger alert. 

Relax and enjoy where you are and what you have NOW. Experience your blessings--don't count them.

Stop pushing your body to the limits with a lack of sleep, exercise and nourishing food--while remaining in a constant state of emotional overload. Breathe.

Let The Sun Shine Again

How to Get Your Natural Rhythms Back in Place

• Start with the basics to nourish your body and rest your nerves. Your body likes a regular rhythm that includes regular heart beats, breaths, sleep patterns, eating times, moving times, and rest time. 
• Eat regular, well-balanced nourishing meals.
• Pace yourself--put a time limit on dealing with your difficulties--and take regular rest breaks.
• Go to bed early.
• Choose to have daily contact with uplifting, supportive people who can listen and encourage you in your strength.
• If you're caring for others, take care of yourself first, so you have the strength and endurance to continue to help others.

Slowly, Slowly Step Back In

Create Safety and Security

We all do our best thinking and acting when we do it from a place of feeling safe and secure. So when life feels out of control stop and start over. It may not be easy, but it is essential.

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For more than 35 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes letting go and moving forward with life easier than ever before.

Do you know someone who could benefit from uplifting messages? Please share Lightarted Living with them. If you or someone you love is interested in learning more about closing the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, join the FREE Lightarted Living mailing list.