“Don’t Lick a Tree and Expect Maple Syrup.”
Okay, when someone in a recent class on polyamory uttered these words, most of us looked around the room to see if anyone else understood.
Obligingly, the facilitator asked her to elaborate. The explanation was amazing, and it’s one of my new favorite phrases.
Don’t expect something wonderful if you aren’t prepared to put in the effort required to produce it.
I don’t talk about polyamory on this blog but I’ll just say I know a number of poly people. (Including at least one 3rd-generation poly person because, yeah, it’s been around for a while!)
And, yeah, “before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water; after enlightenment chop wood, carry water.”
Or, even better,
“Don’t lick a tree and expect maple syrup.” Even when it’s a maple tree that’s not how it works.
