Let's Bloom

Have you ever felt that you were ready for a new stage of growth but unsure of how to break through to it? You know, that feeling of being truly ready, but with lingering doubts that limit you? Breaking ground can be difficult, and it takes discipline and a resolute focus on your goals and ambitions. Ultimately, it comes down to nurturing yourself, listening to your inner voice, engaging in blue-sky thinking, and leading from the heart. Allowing yourself to break ground and start blooming is essential.

In the West Village, there is a lovely woman named Bonnie. Porter loves when we see Bonnie on our walks. Bonnie started the “Village Wildflower Garden,” where she plants wildflower seeds along the trees on the streets. Last year, when I passed a few of Bonnie’s wildflower gardens, they stopped me in my tracks. The beauty, magic, and wonder of it all filled my soul. I hadn’t known it was Bonnie who created this wonderland for us. When I found out, I was intrigued to know her “why.” Her passion is about the beauty, charm, and the feeling they give us as we pass them, and she wants to create this magical feeling as you wander the streets in this beautiful part of NYC. We chatted about planting some by my apartment. It took a year of waiting for the time to come and then explaining the process to me. When we talked about the process, she spoke about the need to tend to the seeds, to water them diligently, and to watch their growth through the stages. As I watered the seeds, I had a feeling that this is life, this is where we are, and we are ready to bloom.

It accelerated my reflection on the parts of my life that I needed to water and allow to bloom. Those areas where time got away from me, a new job took me on a different path, and I had to rejigger my plan a bit. That's okay, and it is, in fact, beautiful because I can water the other parts, allow them time to break through, and bloom. It was freeing and liberating at the same time.

As you know, our theme for this month is breaking ground  and blooming. Breaking through can be invigorating, but let's be honest, it takes courage and enthusiasm to pursue your dreams with determination and conviction. Your deep desire to live a fulfilled life and accepting that your life can bloom in many areas, just like the Wildflower Garden.

Blooming doesn’t happen overnight. It's about having a plan, staying focused, and taking action. It's about believing in yourself and your abilities, even when it feels like you aren’t breaking through. It is a reminder that every day you have to work for that moment and to realize that we are all a work in progress. It is our time to say we are ready to bloom. We may not have it all figured out, but we are ready to break ground and grow.

Here's how I reflect on breaking ground and blooming into my next season:

First, get clear on where I am stagnant. What do I really want? What are my dreams and aspirations? What is holding me back from breaking through? Take some time to write it down and get crystal clear on my “why” for the goal and the impact associated with this aspiration.

Secondly, I ask myself: how do I water my aspirations? Once I know my goals, I break them down into smaller daily actions. This makes them feel less daunting and more achievable. It helps me with the discipline that reaching my aspirations is not a snap of a finger.

Thirdly, I try to flow through the unplanned curveballs. Keep my eye on the “why” and don't let distractions get in the way. Staying committed to my goals, honoring the process, and focusing on what's most important: the breakthrough.

Once the milestone is achieved, no matter how small, I take time to celebrate my success. Admiring the feeling in the moment, and then making a promise to myself to keep watering.

Let's bloom with enthusiasm, determination, and a sense of wonder. Let's embrace the stages of our lives and bloom as part of a virtual wildflower garden, contributing to our communities with love, beauty, and charm, and inspiring others along the way.