Welcome back, bloomers, to A Time to Bloom! I have so much to share with you all, and I am grateful to do it here in our safe garden. Yes, you heard right - garden. Our cherished sanctuary where the soil is fertile and ready to yield forth from every seed planted. 🌱 " I want to smell my flowers while alive," some say, but do we nurture our current soil? What does the foundation appear to be? Is it a firm foundation for the flowers to grow? Or is it a dark bed of cracked roots with an overflow of infected weeds? Without that rooted or grounded foundation, there is no purpose to build. All the work and effort will be useless.
Fortunately, within this nurturing garden, we have the luxury to plant seeds and extend our hands in generosity, sharing seeds of inspiration and support with our blooming neighbors. These seeds may look different for each of us. Some may result in kind words, heartfelt gestures, or simply lending a compassionate ear. 👂As we sow, so shall we reap, for this garden is a testament to the fruits of our labor or even the flowers of our labor. 🌺 It is a time to inhale deeply the sweet fragrance of our accomplishments. I choose to inhale every ounce of this sunflower. 🌻What about you? Of all the flowers in the world, from roses, lilies, orchids, or tulips, to name a few, which flower tells the story of your journey?
The sunflower embodies every aspect of my existence, capturing every moment of my being with remarkable precision. Just as a skilled gardener must establish a conducive environment for the plants to endure the weather seasons or patterns, so must we fortify the core of our existence to withstand life seasons.
Imagine purchasing a substantial amount of land to start building a greenhouse or a garden, only to discover its flawed structure. Take a look at the outside, freshly cut grass, earthy crisp air blowing in your hair, as we look upon acres and acres to come. Only to discover artificial turf or synthetic grass that now rests on a genuine foundation. It will never be able to produce. Was this preventable? How many of the signs did we overlook?
Let's explore how the journey of the sunflower mirrors my becoming. The four stages that helped me were preparation, planting, nurturing, and harvesting. I must emphasize the steps to flourishing are never overnight. From seed to full bloom, it undergoes a series of transformative stages, each advancing to the next level. These include spring, summer, fall, and winter. Which season of life do you find yourself at this moment?
Preparation is the first step. Like the gardener assessing the soil and clearing away debris, you must analyze if the environment where you plan to plant is good enough for your seeds. You carry wisdom, wealth, and many dreams that should not be wasted. Sharing your visions or plans with people who can not see them is similar to describing the vivid colors of a breathtaking sunset to someone who is blind. Despite your earnest attempts to convey the beauty of it, their eyes are not equipped for it. Surround yourself with those who see your vision and aim to see you achieve daily. What places do you thrive best in? Check your surroundings and truly take inventory to determine if you have the right tools and team to prepare to build. If not, this is where preparation comes in. What do you already have or possess that is inside of you? What if I told you the necessary resources were at your fingertips? Once the foundation is set and engraved on the base, building will be much easier than if you had not prepared.
Next comes planting – the moment of commitment and action. It is time to pick up those tools and get to work. 👷 Much like sowing seeds in the garden, we must plant the seeds of our vision and goals with care and purpose. Every choice and action we make contributes to the growth and development of our endeavors. Are you willing to put in the work or are you sitting by hoping you will receive a harvest without planting? I'm here to tell you that if you are sitting and waiting now, you'll be sitting and waiting then, because nothing will be there for you to reap. It would be incredibly foolish for the gardener to diligently dig holes in the yard for planting, but never actually sow the seeds into the soil. You plant nothing, and that's exactly what you'll receive in return. Do the work to heal your heart from past hurts and traumas. No longer will you play the blame game, this is your garden, and the tools are in your hand, what will you do with them?
With that in mind, the road to blooming requires more than just planting seeds; it requires nurturing too. As the gardener tends to every seedling, providing water, sunlight, and care, we must nurture our visions with intentionality. Do you notice when a system or routine benefits you more than others, what do you do? You continue it, right? Same case with this process. You find what works for you and your garden and stick with it. What works for your neighbor, may not work for you. Once you find the rhythm that matches your walk of becoming, nurture that portion until you see the excellence of your journey unfolding before you. 😊
Finally, here comes the harvest. 🎉 The height of our efforts and the fruition of our dreams. Like the sunflower blooming in all its brightness, we too can experience the joy and satisfaction of seeing our visions come to life. But, may you not forget the role of the strong foundations in sustaining this success, providing the stability and resilience needed to weather any storm.
Are you satisfied with your current season? Have you allowed life to keep you stuck in a gloomy winter even after the season changed to summer? ☔ How many thistles have you let build up in your heart or soil?
You never have to be ashamed of anything you went through. 💛 I know it may be easier said than done, but trust me, I understand. 🫂 I went through a great deal of depression, drug abuse, and so much more. It wasn't until I saw my flower in the garden being choked by numerous thistles while lying in a bed of weeds, is when I knew I had to take action. My garden was oversaturated with silent tears, trampled on by those who I thought were neighbors, and underexposed by the sunlight. ⛈ I know exactly how you feel. That flower was me, and I am not ashamed to say I needed the light far more than I ever knew. I sat too long in that dark hole with the condition of my heart weakening day by day. What condition is your flower in?
I finally chose to bloom, and now it's your turn. Pick up your tools bloomers! Now is the time to take your garden back. Which choice will you make today?
See you on the next blog Wednesday!
You are a bloomer. Bloom baby bloom, with me, Tee! 😌
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