Cherry Pitting Meditaion

 1.  Go to your local farm stand or market and buy some cherries.  Take them home.

2.  Wash your cherries

3. Gather your tools: cherry pitter, a couple big bowls, an apron or large dish towel to protect your clothes from red stains.

4. put the cherries in one of the bowls.

5. fix yourself something cold to drink.

6. gather your cherries, your tools, and your beverage and make yourself comfy on the front porch, with the bowl of cherries in your lap and the other bowl close at hand.

7. Now begin to pit your cherries, one by one, letting the pit fall into the bowl in your lap, and placing the cherry in the bowl next to you. Get a rhythm going. Feel the glorious summer breeze and watch the cars drive by, the neighbors working in the yard, a mother pushing a stroller.

8. Dream – of what you will make with these luscious, juicy, jewels. Or of how wonderful it will be come January, when you reach into the freezer and pull out some summer goodness (will they really last that long? Or will they be gone by the time the first cold winds of October come?)

9. Take a sip of your cold drink. What is it? Iced tea? Iced coffee? Soda? Mint julep?

10.  Pick up a cherry.  Squeeze the pitter.  Drop the cherry.

11.  Breathe.

12.  Smile.  This is what summer days are made of:)