I planted a poppy last year. I have a vague recollection of putting it in the ground. As the spring sprouting began I kept my eye on one area of the garden to watch its arrival. As a poppy announced itself in another area of the garden, I hardly gave it notice thinking it was one I already had seen, already knew. One morning I walked about to greet my flowers and found the poppy blossomed – a beautiful surprise, a most amazing opening, and brilliance. Filled with delight, I giggled and said out loud, “Wow”!
Much to learn from this little flower! How often I live this way – looking in one area of my life – waiting, anticipating, expecting – where nothing is planted. Nothing is ripening, rooting nor growing. A simple turning is sometimes all I need to see the beauty in the moment.
Often there is a vague recollection of the seed within me, yet I forget what I planted and where I planted it. I forget my intention, my desire, my longing.
Often I anticipate and expect my process to look a certain way. Things are budding, opening, expanding and I want to push them aside, disregard what they are bringing forth, thinking they are the same old thing, that which I already know. Sometimes, those same old things are still serving me, supporting me, grounding me. Sometimes I am resisting my brilliance. Sometimes they just want me to let go.
As we approach the summer solstice, I invite you to spend a bit of time reflecting on your spring offering. Ponder the ideas, inspirations, desires you were tending to, seeds you were planting. Look for ways you have awakened, ways you have made shifts and expanded, and ways you have opened. See that which remains and allow it to continue to serve you, to bring you joy. Reflect on your practice and how it has transformed, how it has delighted you. Rather than needing your spring offering to look a certain way, let the summer awaken within you and surprise you with its brilliance. You may giggle and say “Wow”!
And if not, look around. Sometimes the gift in blossoming lies in not seeing it in yourself, but watching as others look at you and say “Wow” as they giggle with delight.
(June 2013)