Okay, I admit, I came up with the title of this post due to the inspiration of painstakingly removing the seeds from a pomegranate. If you have ever done this, you know that it can be a long process and that your fingers often come out very red (or, at the best, they look a bit jaundiced afterwards).
I must say that we have tried every pomegranate seed removal trick in the book – from tapping the fruit with a knife to breaking it apart under water. The under water process is the best, as it at least prevents have the kitchen from getting stained as the juice flies everywhere….. but the end result, oh so tasty! The girls LOVE to eat the pomegranate seeds!
Playing with the pomegranates (which were huge, amazing, and delicious) was a good reminder to me. It made me remember that we often have to put great effort into activities, projects, or relationships in order to reap the rewards. Sometimes it does not seem worth it. (I rarely buy pomegranates as I am lazy when it comes to removing the seeds, but when given them as a gift I was happy to prepare them for my family to eat.)
I find that the things I work hard for are the things I appreciate more. Jobs I put a lot of time into are often the ones I am most proud of when the results are good. I feel better about myself and I have a different attitude and approach. Hard work can mean sacrificing other things, as it often means prioritizing, yet it pays off.
This is a value I hope to impart to my children – the value of hard work and the internal motivation to give 110% effort and be proud of a job well done – just because.
Today, 114 days ’til 40, I am proud of working hard to achieve the goals I have set for myself and I am also proud of working with our school community to reach the goals we continue to set. It brings me great pride and joy.
~400daystil40
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
fransiweinstein
October 30, 2012 at 00:06
I love pomegranate seeds. I remember seeding them, as a kid, with my mother. She’d spread newspaper all over the kitchen table and we’d get to work. Now I’m sorry to say, I’m lazy. Several of our grocery stores sell them, just the seeds, in containers. And I’m ashamed to admit I buy those. You’re totally doing the right thing and teaching your kids the right values. Good for you. You deserve a treat of some delicious pomegranate seeds now, for sure. Enjoy them.
400daystil40
October 30, 2012 at 16:48
Yes, I also usually buy them already seeded and in containers! 🙂
Clip Snark
October 30, 2012 at 01:56
Pomegranates are so much work! But so delicious. The perfect metaphor.
400daystil40
October 30, 2012 at 16:48
Yes, I thought so too!!!:)
buckwheatsrisk
October 30, 2012 at 02:57
so very true!
400daystil40
October 30, 2012 at 16:48
🙂
The Quiet Borderline (back in hospital)
October 30, 2012 at 06:16
Yum yum, tasty, I’m glad you all enjoyed.
400daystil40
October 30, 2012 at 16:48
It was fun!
sakuraandme
October 30, 2012 at 09:59
I’ve seen them in the shops, but never tried one.
What do you eat them with? and are they sweet or bitter? Paula x
400daystil40
October 30, 2012 at 16:49
It is one of those things like avocados are mangos – people seem to love or hate them – my girls love them!!!
walkwiththerabbi
October 30, 2012 at 16:24
“Did I tell you how blessed I am to be your friend?” If I did, here’s a reminder. If I haven’t yet – well shame on me! Blessings to you and the family my dear dear friend!
400daystil40
October 30, 2012 at 16:49
You are too kind!!!
Lela Bonchjela
October 31, 2012 at 06:45
WHy don’t you just eat them with the seeds? Crunchier, hee!
400daystil40
October 31, 2012 at 22:14
We do eat the seeds – when you seed a pomegranate you take all the little red “seeds” out of the main peel! 🙂
Lela Bonchjela
November 2, 2012 at 03:00
Oh THAT you mean!
Spider42
October 31, 2012 at 12:44
Good for you.
Personally I love pomegranates.
400daystil40
October 31, 2012 at 22:13
Me too!
Another Thousand Words
October 31, 2012 at 13:02
Fun post, 400! It brought back a wonderful memory of my Greek great-uncle bringing us pomegranates at Christmastime…thanks so very much! BTW, I LOVE them!
400daystil40
October 31, 2012 at 22:12
What a great memory!!!
artistspromenade
November 4, 2012 at 14:54
As amid I loved sitting on the back steps of our house digging the seeds out of the pomegranate and getting red juice running down our arms and legs. It looked like we had cut ourselves and it often brought my mother up short until she realized we had been into the pomegranates again. Thanks for sharing your story and reminding me of a forgotten but treasured memory!
400daystil40
November 4, 2012 at 17:43
This made me laugh – once when I was in college I was picking berries with a less than domestic friend and she kept getting scraped by the thorns – finally she screamed, “I am done, I am bleeding!” – She was not bleeding, it was berry juice! I laughed so hard (she was less amused).
artistspromenade
November 5, 2012 at 03:09
Too funny, who knew pomegranates could be so amusing, to some. I loved that story.
400daystil40
November 5, 2012 at 19:25
🙂