Blossom and Thrive

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom” – Anais Nin

The lotus flower, a powerful spiritual symbol, begins its life as a small flower in the dark, muddy depths of a pond. It struggles in its growth as it emerges from the murky water and blooms into a magnificent flower where it lives the rest of its life in fresh air and sunlight.

When I approached the legendary doorway of midlife, I recognized the lotus flower in myself. I felt small; stuck in the muck of mediocrity, struggling to grow and play bigger in life. I couldn’t feel the beauty inside me and I certainly didn’t recognize its reflection in the mirror. I felt as though I was living someone else’s life. Perhaps I was a flower whose seed was mistakenly planted in the wrong garden. I didn’t fit in, so I chose to exist in the shadows of life. I was a lotus flower safely tucked away in the disguise of a wallflower.

I could hear whispers from my soul telling me there was something more. I felt a yearning deep inside my heart. I wanted to blossom and thrive. If I could just break through the muck of physical and emotional stress, pain, restlessness, indecisiveness, and unhappiness, I could find my purpose and express it by living life to the fullest.

I looked in admiration at the brilliance of other flowers blooming all around me. They were healthy and happy; they were flourishing and smiling. Why couldn’t I be as glorious as they were? What was keeping me stuck in the muck – paralyzed with self-doubt, feeling inferior to others?

As we begin our journey of awakening to the spiritual reality of life, the impurities of our thinking gradually begins to fade, and much like the lotus flower, we break through the muck and darkness in our life as we rise to a higher state of consciousness. It’s not easy at first, but the closer we get to enlightenment, the more peaceful we become. As we continue to expand in our awareness, our thoughts, feelings, actions, environment, relationships, and well-being transform into a state of superb purpose, prosperity and bliss.

Rising above the muck wasn’t easy. I didn’t know what it meant or how it felt to live as my true Self. I wasn’t even sure I was worthy of living the dreams I had locked within. I realized, through the power of journaling, that I had been putting the needs of others ahead of my own needs for so long that I didn’t know any other way to be. I had searched for happiness and acceptance outside of myself for so long that I didn’t know how to stop. I was an amazing lotus flower just waiting for someone else to come along and push me to the surface of living a vibrant life of health and happiness. But nobody could do that for me; it was my responsibility. I had to take matters into my own hands.

Like the lotus flower, nobody can push us or get us through the darkness and sludge. But the closer we get to the surface, the more strength we gain, and we soar higher and higher. The journey is our own responsibility. Our surroundings and the people we choose to associate with can encourage us to grow or obstruct our progress. Therefore, it’s best to make a conscious decision to associate with inspiring, supportive people as you embark on a journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and self-actualization.

As I entered and timidly walked through the doorway of midlife, I started journaling in an online community of like-minded people, magnificent flowers who were stuck in the muck with a strong desire to grow and prosper. The gloomy shadows suddenly began to fade. As I traveled to the core of my being in my journal, I uncovered the beliefs and fears keeping me stuck in the darkness. I exposed negative thoughts and expressed the emotions I had bottled up inside.

At first the shifts I experienced while journaling were subtle. I felt lighter, as if the weight of the world was being lifted from my shoulders one continent at a time. I could literally FEEL a new pep in my step. As I put myself center stage, focusing on my unmet needs and desires, I could feel a transformation taking place. I no longer chased after the acceptance and approval of others. I felt confident and secure in who I was, and excited about who I was becoming.

As I continued to write and express my thoughts and emotions in my journal, I began climbing to the surface, breaking through greater depths of the murky water. I experienced one ‘Aha’ moment after another. The people in my life and my circumstances were the same, but my perspectives had completed changed. I felt calm even in the midst of chaos. I wore a new expression on my face. I began living my life more boldly. I felt free to expand my life and live my dreams without hesitation or worry about what others would think about me.

Surrounded by the support and acceptance of an online community of people, like me, masking their inner beauty and authentic power, I met my true Self. In the sacred space of my journal, I connected with the still, small voice within and found solutions. My inner wisdom guided me and revealed to me the elusive key to unlocking the happiness that I had been searching for outside of myself.

I have learned to be grateful for each and every moment, exactly as it unfolds and presents itself to me. I have come to understand the meaning in my journey. I no longer resist life’s challenges. I embrace them with an inner knowing that everything has happened, and continues to happen, for me – not to me.

Like the lotus flower, I am emerging to live the rest of my life in fresh air and sunlight (health and happiness). Through the power of journaling, I am becoming who I was always meant to be.

The biggest gift I have received in rising above the murky water of the past is that I love what I see. I love what I see in the people around me and I love what I see in the circumstances I encounter (even in adversity). Most importantly, I LOVE what I see when I look in the mirror.

Keep the beauty of the lotus flower in mind as you emerge from the external struggle of mediocrity to attain a life of magnificence and bliss. Be open to new ideas, new perspectives and spiritual solutions. You have a golden opportunity to blossom and thrive. Ask yourself, why not? Why not me?Why not now?

Are you ready and willing to take the risk to blossom?