I am always learning something new from my clients in the Drug and Alcohol counseling program where I work as a therapist. Since many of them attend 12 step meetings, I am accustomed to hearing them use what I call ‘bumper sticker-ese’ such as “One Day At A Time”, “Let Go and Let God”, “We are only as sick as our secrets”, “Easy Does It” and “There but for the Grace….”  Today, we were speaking about what it takes to remain sober in the face of the challenges that they bump up against each day. One incredibly insightful young man said these words that put a smile on my face, “The juice is worth the squeeze.”  Think about it for a moment. What does it mean to you?

What comes to mind for me is the idea that anything worth doing is worth doing well. If there is something I desire to experience or attract into my life, I need to be willing to roll up my sleeves and  put my all into it. It might mean getting a little messy and pulpy. I may need to risk feeling like a drip. I might even be inclined to tell a knock knock joke…”Knock knock. Who’s there?  Banana. Banana who?  Knock knock, Who’s there? Banana. Banana who? Knock knock. Who’s there?  Orange. Orange who? Orange you glad I didn’t say Banana again?”  Worth the squeeze means a wonderful exchange for what I put into the endeavor.

I remember back in  January of  1981 when I was on a 10 day Outward Bound Course in New England; think snow, and bitter cold. On our last day there, we were asked to run up a hill where a treat would be waiting for us. I charged up the incline, drenched in sweat under my woolen pants, vest, flannel shirt and long johns by the time I reached the top. The delight was freshly made orange juice, ice cold and refreshing. Never before and not since, has it been that good. THAT was definitely worth the squeeze.

There are many things I wish for in my life. I can wait around for the perfect moment for whatever it is to arrive. I can wait until I am exactly as I want to be in order to experience true happiness. I would be waiting a looooonnnnng time.  I much prefer the proactive approach in which I set my intention, extend my reach, put legs under my ideas, take the steps, enlist support, put my heart and soul into it, be ‘all in’ and see it through to fruition (no pun intended:)