Life's olive press
Producing olive oil in ancient times, with its modern day application
Olive oil extraction was a fascinating process in ancient times with so much symbolism that can be applied to our lives today. Embedded deep within the cells of an olive is oil droplets. To extract this oil, the olive has to be harvested from the tree. The branches were shaken causing the olive fruit to fall to the ground.
The immediate symbolism and picture that this paints, is that of secure comfort zones being agitated. We do not want our boats to be rocked. Life sometimes has a way of shaking our world, where we land between a rock and a hard place. It's within these life circumstances that we respond in frustration, despair and we can become despondent. The lesson to learn is that this moment could just be the starting point of an amazing process.
Back to the oil extraction process...
The olive is then washed and cleaned of all contaminants. Thereafter, it is taken to a millstone. It's at this point where the fruit is totally crushed and ground into a pulp-like substance. Totally transformed from its original state. This olive paste substance is then taken to an olive press.
It was the Ancient Greeks who started using the press method to extract oil over 5000 years ago. The pressing process is simple. Apply pressure to the olive paste to separate the liquid oil and vegetation water from the solid material. The end result can be summarized as follows. High quality and the purest oil is extracted when the applied pressure is at its highest.
Life application
The life application is profound. Pressure in life is unavoidable. The life lesson is that all pressure is not negative or detrimental. There are certain qualities deeply embedded within our being that can only be extracted by pressure. It will not blossom in comfort, but only in crushing pressure.
You will learn something of yourself when you have endured moments of long suffering. When the going gets tough, smile. It's olive oil producing moments. Accept these moments in life, don't fight or resist the process. It will only make sense once you've gone through it. The human will is powerful and within our being there is the ability to endure hardship. Do not fear the change and transformation that normally comes with this process.
That's it from me for today. Till next time... Regards Randal
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Very true. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Mick. Much appreciated.