On a trip to Bordeaux, I visited Chateau Siaurac, a beautiful chateau from 1600 and still family owned. This chateau is next to Pommerol and near Petrus which produces some of the most expensive wines in the world. We began the tour with a walk through the vineyards and had the opportunity to taste the grapes off the vine to distinguish the varietals of cabernet franc, merlot, malbec, and muscat. Usually when I eat grapes I popped several in my mouth, devour them and grab for more. This time I ate one grape at a time and savored every bite from the skin to the water and elixir inside. Our host shared that the grapes were very special because they had to struggle to reach their glory. They had to battle the hail storms, the rain, the gravel, the sun, the winds to ripen to make the best wines. Their struggle gave them the backbone to be the best grapes. These grapes became the survivors that won medals for the excellence they brought to the wine.
There is a lesson to learn from the grapes of Bordeaux. The first thing we learned is that terroir is very important. Wine Folly definition “Terroir is how a particular region’s climate, soils and aspect(terrain) affect the taste of wine. Consider what is it that you need to bring out the best in you. Know that you are your terroir. Study your terrain internally and externally so that you can know what the best of you is and when to cultivate the rich resources you have. This provides you with the strength to withstand any obstacle and continue to push through like the grapes of Siaurac. With this knowledge you can use what you have to be your best you.
How can you envision yourself being just right and know that what you need is within you? Secondly to quote one of Bruce Schneider’s, founder of iPEC , Foundation Principles “We are each here for a purpose”. With this awareness, you can continue to push through like the grapes of Bordeaux. The grapes that survive know they have a mission and they are focused on that. They stand strong receiving what is needed and fortifying themselves from danger. They learn from past experiences so they don’t repeat the same mistakes. They look at each obstacle as an opportunity to get a lesson. You are no different from the award-winning wines from Chateaux Siaurac or Chateaux Petrus. You were put in the perfect body to do what you were brought here to do. There are no mistakes. Psalms 139:14 says “You are fearfully and wonderfully made”. What better terroir can you possess? Break through and thrive. If a grape can withstand hail storms, heat, gravel, and produce award winning wines, then you can withstand whatever barriers are present so that you can manifest your purpose. Prepare yourself to break through and be all that you were put here to do. The world is waiting to savor your yield.