Jane and Michael Banks had to take medicine each day. What the medicine was for, I haven’t a clue. It is beside the point. What is important to note is that the children found the taste awful. Their nanny, Mary Poppins, offered them a spoonful of sugar to remedy the situation. Mary’s theory was the sweetness would offset the undesirable taste. “Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down in the most delightful way,” were her famous words. The sugar made the syrup more palatable and the kids more cooperative. Swallowing the medicine wasn’t hard, just unpleasant. Accompanied by a spoonful of sugar, the task wasn’t so bad.
Life can be a lot the same. It regularly presents us with challenges, and we are only sometimes aware of what those are to one another. We don’t need to know the specifics to help. Situations don’t have to be dire to benefit from some aid. There’s no shortage of problems in which life would go a whole lot smoother with a spoonful of something. What’s your spoonful? Can it be found from within, like hope, faith, or prayer? Or is it outside of yourself, maybe music, exercise, or a friend? We can lighten each other’s loads through simple, thoughtful gestures. Words of encouragement and unexpected kindness can have the same effect as a spoonful of sugar. When a spoon isn’t handy, a pinch will do. A little goes a long way.
Be, create, or accept the sweet parts of life that minimize the bitterness we all experience. Find your spoonful, and discover how full your day will be too.
