As we speak, I am sitting not so comfortably in cattle class on a QANTAS Boeing 747 with the tray table embedded firmly in my ribs and the bloke next to me snoring, OR I could have miraculously been upgraded to first class and be sipping champagne and eating caviar in my own little pod bed. Regardless, I’m on my way back from my Hawaiian holiday to Australia and so have my final guest post today.
Please welcome Cheryl from That Girl is Funny! You better leave some very nice comments because you don’t want to mess with Cheryl. She kicks arse and when I say she kicks arse, I mean she literally kicks arse. Cheryl has trained in boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai (kick-boxing). Apart from that though, she knows how to kick arse in the not so foot-to-the-forehead way by choosing happiness and health and filling her life withfun. To see her kick arse in both meanings of the term, go check out That Girl is Funny! Over to you Cheryl…
Intimate Connections Over Tea and Toast
Seems silly really, but Vegemite changing their name has me noticing the lack of control I have over people and events in my world. I’m reminded of my reactions when something I’ve been taking for granted suddenly changes or disappears without notifying me first – disappointment and a wave of love and appreciation. [Editor's note: for those who don't know, Vegemite is a black, salty Australian spread that 90% of non Aussies think tastes like the pits of sodom and 90% of Aussies can't live without.]
I can’t remember the last time I had Vegemite. But I’m filled with nostalgia for the connection I feel to other people when I think about the “Vegemite or Marmite” debates I’ve participated in. I can’t imagine having a debate about “Cheesybite or Marmite”.
As of October 7th, 2009, Vegemite will now be known as Cheesybite. Remember the “New Coke” fiasco? I think Kraft and Company are heading down the same bumpy road.
I get upset when something I’ve gotten used to changes before I’m ready for it to change. What’s so upsetting about changing the name of a funny little product like Vegemite? According to Shakespeare, “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”.
How it feels to me is that an outsider, Kraft, came in and made a decision – about their own product – without regard for the impact on the people who’ve grown up making fun of Vegemite and bonding over loving it or hating it. Those conversations are social capital in the realm of National Identity. You can spot a fellow countryman by his or her reaction to having a Vegemite sandwich for breakfast or with a cuppa at teatime.
Brand awareness shows up as pride in a shared history of making fun of a unique product. It’s not the name that makes a difference. It’s the shared experience of the name that matters. Cheesybite will have to build that heart-felt, warm connection from scratch. Why would Kraft want to start over?
Living a Kick Arse Life
The lesson I’m taking from this unexpected re-naming is to take stock of the people, places and things that I have a juicy, intimate connection with. Things that I’ve been taking for granted that I would truly miss if they were suddenly gone. While I’m at it, I want to make sure that I have lots to choose from. Everything changes. Having multiple places, people and things to love and be loved by keeps me fueled.
My Plan for Living a Kick Arse life
- Notice where my heart gets juiced and I feel happy. Keep my heart supple and open by exploring and finding new people to connect and bond with.
- Preserve my connections where my heart gets juiced and I feel happy. Keep them watered and blooming like flowers. Make time to enjoy them!
- As things end or people move on, allow my feelings of disappointment and being “at a loss for words”. Given enough time, things will return to normal.
- Let go! Don’t hang on to people or things when it’s time to move on.
- Allow something or someone new to fill the gap.
- Trust that my heart is ready and able to receive what’s next.
Intimacy lives in the simple actions we share with others. Next time I have my tea and toast, I know I’ll get a big smile on my face when I think about other people all over the world doing the same thing. That’s living a Kick Arse Life in a gentle way.
About the Author
Cheryl Ragsdale is a creative writer combining her interests in Martial Arts and having fun to teach lessons in living a healthy, juicy life! Keep up with her adventures on her blog called That Girl is Funny! Email: cheryl [at symbol] thatgirlisfunny [dot] com.
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Thanks Cheryl! I mean apart for the great words of wisdom I am grateful that you gave me that important info about Vegemite changing their name!!
Ok, I have been living under a rock this past month so I apologise for not being aware of the massive fiasco that is about to take place!
Now, on a more serious note – your post…. It was only on Friday that I was first introduced to the idea of “Let go! Don’t hang on to people or things when it’s time to move on” and here, not 3 days later you also suggest it.
I have struggled with a friend of mine and I am constantly disappointed with the relationship. Yes, that says a lot about me and my expectations (so I really have noone else to blame), but I think it is time to let go and allow someone else to take the place and cultivate a more fulfilling relationship.
Thank you for your insightful words, Cheryl!
Kirsty
Hi Kirsty,
Seems like the Universe is letting you know – as gently as possible – that it’s time to move on since you’ve heard the same message twice in only a few days. You really do know what to do. Letting go looks different every time I do it. I’m ALWAYS relieved once I’ve made my decision and taken an action to show that I mean it.
Good luck to you! Trust yourself to make good decisions that serve you.
Cheryl
I am devistated, finally after 27 years of living here I am used to that weird stuff called vegemite and now they are changing its name!
Oh, another big change a foot.
But to get serious too, letting go is hard and we rather see life as a pond with mirky still water than a river that flows and takes us to new places and new experiences.
I get your point and I think that I am getting to appreciate change more and more as it does add to my understanding life more and more. It is from different experiences that I have learned the most and that are still enriching my life.
Vegemite or cheesybite or whatever, I think I am able to get used to it, as long as it tastes the same, oops, even if it doesn’t I am sure to get over that as well.
Hmm, life long learning to cope with change?!
Yes, Wilma. Lifelong learning to cope with change. Only recently have I realized that when I’ve learned what there is for me to learn about something, it’s time for me to move on. That doesn’t mean I’ve learned “everything” there is to learn. It means I’ve learned whatever I’m ready or willing to learn. I’m practicing looking forward with anticipation – instead of fear – to the next chapter in the book. Glad to know Vegemite still has a loyal customer, no matter what they do to the name. haha!
I had vegemite once.
Fortunately I live in New York, and don’t have to make any major decisions about it. My heart goes out to all you good folks who are going to have to adjust to the change, and my gratitude on your behalf that you aren’t cats.
My cats wouldn’t eat vegemite…. Tho’ I did have one who was bonkers over salt and vinegar potato chips (that would be crisps to some, I guess). I wonder how they’d taste with vegemite.
Cheryl, I enjoyed your post, and your Plan consists of such wonderful words to live by. For me, between each of your lines, and clearly within them as well, I was touched by the encouragement to honor our own emotions.
Wishing you all joy!
@Cheryl
Thanks Cheryl! Great to have you here. By the way, renaming Vegemite is just plain wrong. I refuse to call it anything else!
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by Cheryl Ragsdale: Vegemite or Marmite?| http://bit.ly/3NSaiI | Intimate Connections Over Tea and Toast – vegemite is now Cheesybite! Still can’t believe it!…
She just smiled and gave me a “Cheesybite” sandwich! haha!
This poor girl couldn’t find any Vegemite!
“There is something special and extremely rewarding about doing something that no one has ever done before. I came up with the idea of making my special Vegemite Pinwheels. This idea was met with some degree of doubt by other members of the Morgan family (and Dave for that matter), and my suggestion was answered by comments such as “Mim, that sounds disgusting”, and “I’ve never even heard of a Vegemite Pinwheel”, and “I can’t believe you guys even eat that revolting stuff”. However, buoyed by my success with Vegemite Pinwheels in Canada many years ago, and also because we couldn’t think of anything else except Anzac Biscuits, Dave agreed to my plan and we started trying to figure out how to source some Vegemite.”
http://www.girlsoutdoors.org/travel_blog/snowshoeing_for_vegemite/
She probably doesn’t know they changed the name to CheesyBite!! haha! I’m having way too much fun with this.
@Cheryl
That story is a classic! A life without Vegemite – gives me the heebie jeebies just thinking about it.