June 14, 2020: Lessons From A Wildflower
” Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter ” .
Rachel Carson
This past week brought once again headlines of darkness; heartbreaking images of tragedy in a landscape of daily political shenanigans where human decency and kindness seem to have been lost in a maelstrom of malevolence.
I try to be aware of what’s happening in our world; each day reading a number of different news sources to try and sort through how much is real to how much is hype. But I have also found the ongoing onslaught of negative news to be one that depletes positive energy, leaving behind a miasma of despair and a sense of hopelessness. While I can’t heal the pandemic, change the minds of racists, or restore the environment protections that are being stripped away, I can choose actions to restore my natural optimism and guide my path to being healthy and positive.
” Looking at beauty in the world, is the first step of purifying the mind. ”
Amit Ray
Recognizing how easy it is to absorb the fear, frustration and sadness expressed in the world news, I realized once again this week how much I benefit from the antidote of nature. This time of year brings a plentitude of beauty in the evolving art gallery of native wildflowers. Wildflowers only bloom for a short while, their ephemeral time in the sun devoted to seed bearing. While I have some ideas about what we’ll find during our forays into the fields and woods, the sight of a returning, familiar face of a flower never fails to elevate my spirits. The outside world and its cacophony of endless crises fade away. My total focus evolves into an acute awareness of what’s around me in this particular time and place. The luminous glow of a wildflower replaces anxious mental chatter about what catastrophe could possible happen next?….. replacing it with a sense of awe and gratitude in my soul.
“ Let us learn to appreciate there will be times when the trees will be bare, and look forward to the time when we may pick the fruit. “
Anton Chekhov
So what can we do?
We can turn our eyes from the rollercoaster of blistering headlines to seeking out acts of kindness and beauty to implement in our own lives and that of others. We can choose to follow healthy practices to keep ourselves and others safe. We can be more compassionate, open and tolerant to the ideas and lifestyles of others. We can open our eyes and hearts and be grateful to all of the wonder this world has to offer. And like the wildflower, we can turn away from the darkness, seek the light and thrive.
If the pandemic and protests have taught us anything, it is how fragile and precious our lives truly are. But we can also take comfort in the words of Kahil Gibran the poet, who eloquently wrote:
“The deeper sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain…………………When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.”
https://poets.org/poem/joy-and-sorrow
This is a time of turmoil and tragedy, but as nature shows us again and again, after periods of cold and darkness, beautiful wildflowers will continue to bloom.
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES ON THE POWER OF NATURE
Those who find beauty in all of nature will find themselves at one with the secrets of life itself.
=Wolfe Gilbert
On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it.
–Jules Renard
Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.
-John Muir
“Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.
John Lubbock
-Khalil Gibran
“Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.
Orison Swett Marden
“Forests, lakes, and rivers, clouds and winds, stars and flowers, stupendous glaciers and crystal snowflakes—every form of animate or inanimate existence, leaves its impress upon the soul of man.
Feel free to share this blog, inspirational quotes and and also let us know what you do to maintain your positivity during this challenging time.
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