Realizations Inc

Vol. 2, No. 3

Some say its history stretches back to 2000 BC and the Wappo Indians, whose presence lingered until 1823. Certainly it has been known by a variety of appellations including Valley of the Sun, and Valley of Bottled Poetry; the latter attributed to Robert Louis Stevenson. In more modern times, the Napa Valley has become famous for its winemaking. It is also becoming known for The Brain Program weekend program.

At first glance these two ventures don’t appear to have much in common—grape growth and personal growth. I think they do, especially since Leah L. Curtin challenged my awareness in a recent editorial (Nursing Management) opinion. She wrote:

California is known, among other things, for its wine. To make any kind of wine, you need grapes. Raisins soaked in water do not make grapes.

You may say, Elementary, dear Watson. Not necessarily. For example, every year thousands of visitors flow through the Napa Valley to experience the romance of the vine; to absorb the sounds, sights, tastes, odors, and specifics of winemaking.

Invariably, a tourist is overheard to ask, What is wine made from, anyway? Chuckle or groan but one can’t know what one hasn’t learned.

Curtin also includes a quote from the book, Learning to Use What You Already Know, by Strumpf and DeLuca:

Providing training or other developmental experiences for people who lack the potential or motivation is like soaking raisins to yield grapes. You end up with fat, juicy raisins.

Indeed, many a well-meaning soul has tried to motivate another who either didn’t want the help or wasn’t yet ready for the next growth step. I agree with Curtin that:

Few things are as tasty, versatile and inexpensive as grapes . . . It’s hard to improve on them, and impossible to bypass them, especially if you want to make fine wine. I’ve never heard of a vintner who has tried.

Metaphorically, if thriving were wine, personal growth would be the grapes. Trying to be thrivingly successful in life, outside of this process, is like soaking raisins to make grapes. You may end up with fat, juicy raisins, but no matter how long you stomp them, they won’t turn into wine.

Growing grapes and turning them into a world-class beverage takes knowledge, patience, constant vigilance, hard work, dedication, and a vision of what is possible. So does learning to thrive.

The Brain & Innate Giftedness program can help to jumpstart this process—it can save individuals from needless meandering on their own and speed the development of legitimate personal growth.

By any chance, are you trying to make wine in life by soaking raisins?