Grits Upon Grits Upon Grits

Hey Everyone:

Summer is finally coming to an end, and fall is just around the corner. The leaves are changing and the days are shorter. The temps are a little cooler too. I love this time of year and its transition into comfy clothes and comfy food. I’m anxious for my favorite autumn things.

One day at the store, I was thinking about comfy food, and in particular, Cream of Wheat, with fall flavors and spices and cold weather goodness. I found myself on the cereal aisle of my closest grocery store, searching for my favorite instant variety. I scoured every shelf and found…one tiny little box. It was way up high where someone of my height would never look, and could never reach. Instead, the shelves were full of grits. Original. Instant. Local. Every kind you can think of. Grits upon grits upon grits.

I didn’t want grits. I wanted Cream of Wheat. Just one box of the really unhealthy, instant stuff with maple syrup and brown sugar. You know, the kind that has ten individual packets, only one packet isn’t enough, so you bulk up your bowl with two packets, then add…a banana…and pecans…and a splash of cream. But no! There was one, and I mean one, tiny little box of regular Cream of Wheat. It was hardly enough to fill up a bowl. But I reached way up and pulled it down.

Another shopper, a petite little Southern belle saw me scrutinizing that dinky little box. I heard her “Tsk, tsk,” and thought she was sympathizing with me, so I scrunched up my nose and turned to her with a pitiful look on my face. Boy, oh, boy, was I surprised when she said with absolute conviction, “Hon, that stuff is terrible. No one should eat that.” She reached up to another shelf and said, “Here’s what you really need.” She grabbed the biggest box of grits on the shelf and handed it to me. I had no choice but to accept, and I turned the box over, pretending to read the instructions. After all, I didn’t want to be rude.

She caught on pretty quick, though. She lowered her voice and practically whispered, “You’re not from around here, are you?” I shook my head. “Oh, bless your heart,” she said. There it was again. That four-word sentence I was doomed to hear over and over, and which reminded me that I had no clue how to eat properly in my new home state. “Oh, bless your heart,” she said again, and let out a sigh. I sighed too, because really, I wanted nothing to do with grits. I just wanted some good old-fashioned Cream of Wheat. Sadly, it was not meant to be.

I dropped the box into my cart and thanked the Southern belle for her kindness. I continued to the next aisle, wondering what I would, or in this case, wouldn’t find. As I turned the corner I heard the Southern belle shout, “Don’t forget cheese! Or shrimp! And stir! Stir constantly!” I shouted back my most sincere, “Thank you!”

When I got home, I put that box of grits in my pantry on the top shelf with the label facing outward. That was nearly six months ago. The box is still there, taking up space. Honestly, I don’t know what to do with that box of grits, but I think it’s time to pull out a pot and give them a try. Who knows? With some cheese and some shrimp, I just might fall in love. And the Cream of Wheat? Well, I just might buy a dinky little box and add my own maple syrup…and brown sugar…and a splash of cream.

By the way, every time I see that box of grits on the shelf, I remind myself to give it a try. And I tell myself that grits are probably terrific. Most importantly, I remind myself that if I keep putting it off, I’ll never know.

It’s kind of like marketing, isn’t it? New marketing strategies are scary, and they require a leap of faith. But in the end, they can be terrific, bringing you all the new leads and sales you want. However, you will never know until you give it a try. So, take a big breath and find a new marketing strategy. Who know? It could be terrific.

I’m all about new strategies and creative ways to put them into practice, and to the test. So, if you’re searching, or even wondering about a new strategy, I can help. Let me show you how a new creative strategy that’s uniquely you can drive the leads you are seeking and turn them into the sales you want. Email me at [email protected] to schedule a free consultation. Go ahead, give it a try.

Here's to all the Southern ladies who know grits upon grits upon grits!

Mary Vosika

Owner | Director | True Voice Copy

P.S. True Voice Copy is soon to be True Voice Marketing Strategies. It’s an exciting new change which offers new services to help people focus their marketing efforts where they will matter the most. Schedule a consultation to learn more. Email me at [email protected].