Nature is rich in wisdom if we will stop long enough to listen and observe. This is one of the many reasons I enjoy gardening. With my hands in the soil, or while harvesting, my mind is open to whatever lesson waits for me. Just the other day I learned about persistence from a sunflower.

Back in the spring a tiny sunflower seed somehow found its way into one of my raised beds. After a few days I noticed the tiny sprout, but instead of yanking it out I let it stay. Week after week the flower grew until it was well over six feet tall. While watering it I marveled at how this tall, beautiful, plant came from such a tiny seed.

Then the lesson came. For life to happen, we must persist and not give up or give in.

Think about what happens when we plant a seed. It is buried in soil, then watered. There it remains in that dark, damp, place until life awakes. But, in order to grow the seed must be broken. Once the seedling is free from its shell, the hard journey to daylight isn’t any easier. It must push against the packed soil. Its roots push down seeking nourishment. The tiny leaf bud must push up to reach the light. My sunflower persisted until it broke through. Then growth happened. Beauty happened. A fruitful life happened.

If the life within the seed had not persevered it would have died and decomposed. But because it did, it bloomed and produced more seeds for the future.

There are times when we also find ourselves in a dark place. We feel broken. We have to push just to get through each day. There doesn’t seem to be light anywhere in our lives. But don’t give up. Persevere. From experience, I know how hard this can be but continue to push. Keep moving forward. Don’t give up. Seek help if you need it. There is no shame in that, not one little bit. Do what you can to break free and grow into the beautiful person you are meant to be. And when you do, help others from your experiences. Just as the sunflower produces many seeds, scatter hope and encouragement.

Also remember this, that little plant took some time to grow. Give yourself time as well. Okay?

There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly. ~ R. Buckminster Fuller

Are you holding yourself in caterpillar state? Afraid that the butterfly in you will never flutter free? I know the feeling. Why is it so easy to hold back, to discount dreams and talents because others have surged ahead of you? Thoughts of how others have better credentials and are more qualified keep us grounded.

That was me until a butterfly friend, who had heard enough of me putting myself down, literally got up from the table, shut the door to the room, stalked back and pointed her finger in my face. Then she listed off all I have to offer because of the experiences in my life. What she said made sense. Sure, I may not have a Ph.D or a B.A after my name, but I have lived life. It is what Tom Bodett once said, “In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.” Well, we’ve all been taught at the knee of life. We’ve all learned lessons. Now we just have to value those lessons that are unique to us and share what we’ve learned to help others as they travel through life.

I haven’t turned into a butterfly overnight, but I can say I’m in the chrysalis preparing to fly.

How about you? Are you ready to redefine yourself? It’s time to fly!

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