This week I visited our local Grinter Sunflower Farm. Y’all, I’m in love with sunflowers! As a kid, I always drew them and colored them beautifully with my broken crayons. Truly one of my most favorite flowers of all time. And, today…they still make my heart happy in every way.
While I was there, this quote kept running over in my head.
“A flower does not think of competing to the flower next to it. It just blooms.”- Zen Shin
It’s so true!
As my husband and I roamed up and down the rows of the sunflower farm, I noticed something powerful. Not only did the flowers not compare themselves to one another, they stood confidently. And, as beautiful as each of these sunflowers are, not one of them was perfect! Not one! (Zoom in on the image below.) They weren’t as the flowers I drew and colored as a little girl–each petal symmetrical, each seed in the middle the same size. No. Not even! There were petals missing, Bees flying in and out of flowers roughing up the center where the seeds are housed. The leaves were missing chunks from passers-by or bugs grabbing some lunch.
Yet, each sunflower
stood tall,
faced the sun,
and bloomed–
perfectly imperfect.
Current Reality
What a beautiful thing to witness. And, oh how this concept parallels to our lives today–and every day!
During this global pandemic, I believe it’s safe to say, now is a trying time for most of us. But, even on a “normal” day, is life ever really symmetrical, beautiful, colored inside the lines?
It’s vital that we not waste energy worrying what others think of us or how we are handling a situation. And, might I add…let’s not ask for their advice, either! If they have not experienced what you are experiencing, why do we ask for their advice?
I love this quote from Glennon Doyle in Untamed. She wrote, “Stop asking people for directions to places they have never been.” Honestly, when I read that–I thought…heck-to-the-yes!! Thank you, Glennon!
Furthermore, stop listening to those who give directions, unsolicited, to places they have never been. When a post or a comment begins with “Educators (or any insert any title here)…You need to do this or that and…if you fill in the blank with this specific action then…this WILL happen.”
Those types of “directions” should concern you!
First of all, no one can give advice as to exactly what YOU need to do in your given circumstance. Maybe make a suggestion or hear you out and offer some support, but the emphatic statements that seem to come from some sort of “expert” on all things in life–especially in a global pandemic– yah…NO!
Not only do these posts and verbal comments annoy me, but they also lead people to believe a false truth or feel guilty for not accepting the “advice” given by the supposed “life expert.” When, in truth, that “expert’s” opinion of the necessary next steps might have no place in the current circumstance of the recipient.
Bottom Line:
“Don’t ask people for directions to places they have never been. -Glennon Doyle
AND…
Don’t accept directions from people who have not been to that place!
Just Bloom!
YOU know what’s best for YOU!Do your best, and take the next step toward your goal. It might not be the “final” step, but it’s movement in a positive direction.
Learn. Grow. Adjust. Repeat.
And, do as the sunflower…
Stand tall.
Face the light (the path forward)
And bloom!
Will your petals be tattered? Will your leaves have a few chunks missing? Possibly. But you are enough! You are perfectly imperfect, and you have a purpose.Bloom, friends. Just bloom!
