Grow and blossom where you are planted

What areas do you want to grow in your life? How do you want to blossom? With warm weather finally here, greenhouses are busy with people scooping up little plants to fill their flower pots and flower beds. We are seeing lots of plants growing and even starting to blossom. This activity got us thinking about how we all can grow and blossom in different areas of life.

When you can identify why it’s important for you to grow and blossom in an area, it will help you stay on track to get there when you feel discouraged and need motivation to continue. Maybe your why is about developing your skill, talent or hobby. Maybe your growth and blossoming will make for a more meaningful life for you or others. It may take some work to get there, but it’s worth it.

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Bloom where you are planted”. No matter what age, what stage or what circumstance you find yourself in, you can grow and blossom. It might be harder to grow in some areas, so let’s take a look at ways to help you succeed in growing and blossoming even when the growing conditions are not ideal.

Environment can make a difference. If you are surrounded by negative people, it can be similar to when you see a flower that is growing out of a little crack. We saw a beautiful flower that was growing between the bricks in a building. Certainly not ideal conditions, but somehow this flower had found a way to adapt and blossom anyway. You can be that flower that blossoms even when you are surrounded by negative people. Remember to not let them “ooze” their poisonous negativity on you and don’t get caught up in the conversations that bring everyone down. It will be more difficult, but you can still have your positive outlook. Sometimes, if you remain positive, it will even encourage them to cut out the negative talk and the whole atmosphere can get better.

You aren’t a victim. You can learn from a situation and make different choices. Maybe the different choices can involve changing jobs, changing relationships or doing different activities and habits that are more productive.

Maybe you feel it’s not the time for you to grow and blossom. Anais Nin said, “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” Some flowers take longer to bloom but they can end up being the most radiant. It takes courage and effort to risk and it helps to have support. Just as plants need good care and watering to support growth, you can benefit from some care and support, too. You have probably heard the saying, “Be patient, God isn’t finished with me yet.” Just as you want others to be patient with you, we encourage you to also be patient with yourself as you strive to learn, grow and blossom.

We talked to some other people about their ideas for growth and blossoming in their lives. We met Lindsey and Erik Anderson who were taking a walk with their two young children on the path at Lake Susan Park. We asked them what areas they wanted to grow in their lives and how they wanted to blossom. Lindsey offered that she wants to be “spending quality time with family as this world changes. That is really important to us.” We agree that what was shared is important because children learn from their parents as the example of values for life. Eric added that what’s important to him is,” The same thing, just making sure that we make time for them [the children] and what they need and for each other, and growing as a family.” We recognize that their wonderful family values can contribute to our world growing together and being a safer world. We thanked them for their dedication to having a solid, caring family.

The Andersons had definite ideas about where they wanted to grow and blossom. How about you?
Here’s a challenge: We encourage you to look at your life and take the risks to grow and blossom in areas that are important to you. You can begin to grow and blossom where you are planted. Then take steps to move forward to fulfill your goals. When you make your changes a priority and take action in the right direction, you will be able to grow and blossom in areas that make your life the very best.

Chanhassen residents Doug and Lynn Nodland are Success Coaches and owners of The Balance Center. They can be contacted at WeCare@SharingLifesLessons.com

© Doug and Lynn Nodland 2018 Articles and videos may be shared in their entirety with attribution.