ArcaMax

There's a saying you've probably heard a thousand times: "Don't go for the low-hanging fruit." You should avoid the easy, obvious choice and reach higher, stretch yourself, and go for the real challenge. But let's pause for a moment: Why, exactly, are we dismissing this perfectly good, reachable fruit? Have we learned nothing from centuries of hungry humans? Sometimes you might want the low-hanging fruit.

First of all, low-hanging fruit is convenient. You don't need a ladder or an advanced degree in mountaineering to get it. You just stretch out your arm, and, boom, you're enjoying a delicious snack. It's like life's way of saying: "You've got this. Have a win today." But, in the world of motivational metaphors, we're taught to shun this easy win. We're encouraged to scramble up the tree like crazed squirrels, risking life and limb for that one elusive apple that might -- or might not -- taste marginally better. Sounds more like a recipe for sprained ankles than personal growth.

And really, the whole "low-hanging fruit" aversion raises a bigger question: Why are we so critical of cliches? Half of them don't even make sense if you really think about them. Let's dig into a few more:

"The grass is always greener on the other side."

Well, sure, but maybe that's because it rains more over there, or they just have better fertilizer. Have you considered that their grass is greener because it's fake? AstroTurf. Sometimes, your grass is plenty green -- you just have to mow it. Or accept that grass maintenance is boring and costly, and you'll never be satisfied with any grass anywhere. That's why people switch to cacti.

"Curiosity killed the cat."

This one is a real bummer for anyone who has ever, you know, wondered about anything. Sure, it's supposed to caution us against unnecessary risk, but cats have nine lives. They're practically built for a bit of risky curiosity. And while we're on the topic, where are all the cats killed by curiosity? All I've seen are cats getting by just fine. If anything, they seem to thrive on being nosey. Maybe we need an updated version of this: Curiosity mildly inconvenienced the cat but ultimately made it more interesting.

"Don't count your chickens before they hatch."

Alright, this one makes sense, in theory, but when are you supposed to count them? After they've grown into full-blown chickens and are running around your backyard? Good luck getting a headcount then. By all means, count the eggs. Get ahead of the game. Knowing how many chickens to expect seems prudent. Just, you know, be flexible.

Back to the low-hanging fruit -- it's not just about picking the obvious first. It's about efficiency. You don't want to be the person who spends an hour clambering through a tree for a single apple when you could have gathered a basketful from the bottom branches in five minutes. Life's hard enough; sometimes, you deserve the easy win, and the easy fruit. So, the next time someone scoffs and says, "That's just low-hanging fruit," smile and take a bite. It's probably delicious.

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Cassie McClure is a writer, millennial, and unapologetic fan of the Oxford comma. She can be contacted at cassie@mcclurepublications.com. To find out more about Cassie McClure and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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