What are some of your requirements? List the things
you know you need, and how you can work it into your day or week.
My list: (Pre-Covid 19)
1. Time for Quiet/Prayer/Reflection- wake up early, Bible reading, encouraging faith-based podcasts and videos, prayer time on my drive to work, journaling before I go to bed.
2. Enough Sleep- 7-8hrs
3. Stay Hydrated-drink 55oz of water (1/2 your body weight in ounces)
4. Supplements/Vitamins-Dr. Gundry-Primal Plants & Vital Reds, Isotonix vitamins, and Probiotics
5. Spouse/Down time- talks, walks, bike rides, dinner, watching TV and date nights.
6. Family Time- Catch up with extended family & friends on my way home from work (blue-tooth). Conversation time in the car with my kids on the way home from school. Talk about our day during dinner.
7. Creative Time- carve out time to draw, journal, write, etc.
8. Organized Home- pick up as I go, get everyone involved.
9. Get Body Moving- morning crunches, squats, yoga, stretches, walking, and paddle boarding in the summer.
10. Fresh Air- walks, bike rides, reading on the porch.
11. Organize myself for the next Work Day- plan out outfits for the next day or week. Check email, and create To-Do list for the following day.
YOU ARE MEANT TO GROW & BLOOM!!!!!
I hope to remind you (if you've forgotten) that you are all those things and more, and that God has an amazing purpose for your life as soon as you're ready to ask for and receive it. Don't let the enemy in the form of an addiction, a negative person, harmful thought pattern or fear try to convince you out of your destiny, your dreams, and your best self! You were created for a purpose! Meant to shine, and meant to grow and bloom.
"The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why."
- Mark Twain
REPLANTING
In some cases when living situations are really negative and dark, a complete replanting has to take place. I remember one year I bought a perennial and planted it where I wanted it to grow instead of considering what it needed. It wasn't doing well. Eventually I had to move it because I was expanding my driveway. I replanted it in a shadier area because that's what was available at the time. Surprisingly, that's exactly what it needed (less direct sunlight). Sure enough it came back to life. I never even realized until after I moved it that I was holding it back from its full glory.
As humans we do this to each other at times unintentionally. Sometimes in life there are situations we need to walk away from so we can truly be all that God intended us to be, and sometimes we need to give others all of what they require so that they can bloom where they are planted, as well! And for those times that you can't immediately change your circumstances, remember that we often have to grow through the hard things in order to flourish. And you will.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
- Philipians 4:13
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WHAT ARE YOUR REQUIREMENTS TO BLOOM?
It has taken me a long time to discover some of what I need, and I'm still figuring things out. In nature, each flower also has its own needs. When we go to the store we can pick up a plant and read on its label exactly what it requires: some flowers need full sunshine, some the shade, while others a little of both. Then there are plants and flowers that can survive with very little water in harsh conditions. It's so amazing to me because we are just like them: we all need water, but more importantly we all need light, and for us not just sunlight, but the light of love and all things good. We must strive to surround ourselves with goodness in order to flourish. Flowers don't grow in complete darkness, so how can we expect to if we are living in external and internal darkness.
My walk with God and my decision to figure out who I am has lead me to the conclusion that I need full light, full sunshine with God at the center. I am so sensitive to the darkness; it affects me terribly. I realized that I can't watch or listen to negative stuff or be around negative people for too long because it takes its toll on me (I prefer a comedy over a horror film any day). I discovered this the hard way after having wasted a lot of time exploring, dealing with anxieties and fear over what I was exposing myself to. Thankfully, I've embraced my hypersensitivity, and honor it by being mindful of what I allow into the "soil" of my life. I've made changes, and like a flower, try to bend towards the light.
I encourage you to begin exploring who you are: take a good look at where you are planted. Look at your living situation and circumstances, and ask yourself if you are planted to bloom. If you realize (as I did) that you're in need of more light, then bend. Most of us just need an adjustment, better soil, more of the good stuff. Begin to take notice of what you watch, read and listen to, how you spend your days, and see if it's bringing you closer to God and the life you are meant to live.
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things." - Philippians 4:8
WHAT DO YOU REQUIRE AT THIS MOMENT?
Unlike plants and flowers we can vocalize what we need. The other day I looked out at my herb garden to see my oregano plant had died: it dried out because it needed water. I’m in my own little world sometimes, and I didn’t notice it was fading away. If only it could have knocked on my back door to tell me it was thirsty. I often wonder, what else am I over looking? Who or what else is thirsty? One of the best pieces of advice I received from a friend while I was going through the most difficult season of my life was: “you must tell those around you what you need.” Her beloved mother had passed away, and it was something she learned walking through the pain and loss. It was great advice. I took it, and plan to always use it moving forward. We need to explore what we require, but also tell others what we need in the moment; be it comfort, help with daily details, or just a listening ear. We cannot make assumptions, and waste time thinking everyone around us knows exactly what we require, need help with or want. This can create space for resentment. I started telling the people in my life what I needed, and not only did it help me so much, I think it alleviated some pressure from those around me as well. Sometimes there are no words while walking through difficult situations. I know for me I walked through some tough things, and I just needed someone to hear me out: no advice, no opinions, no taking sides. So I would ask for just that, from a place of love, to please just listen. Other times I just need a hug. The point is-I’m no longer afraid to ask. In the end we all just want to be seen, felt and heard.
Please know, whoever you are, that in due season you are meant to bloom again and again!
I know sometimes this world can be so disheartening, but I'm reminded each spring that there is so much beauty in this world, so much we can and should learn from nature. God has created all things so perfectly: so much knowledge right outside our windows, for example, nature is the ever changing, breathing, living example of beauty, life, and yes, even death. For centuries specialists have studied flowers and trees, so today we can walk right into our local nurseries and choose plant-life that are made to survive and thrive in our particular region. Each flower, each life has its own requirements to flourish. It is the same with us.
REPEAT: I Am
Beautiful
Loved
Fearfully & wonderfully made
CREATED FOR A PURPOSE
SIGNIFICANT
Blessed
Forgiven
Worthy
Enough