Facing Sunflowers

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows.

It's what the sunflowers do."

Helen Keller

Sunflowers are just one radiant presence in nature. I never particularly appreciated them until my youngest son grew a field full of these flowers as he loved the seeds. He did not tell me he had done this until he brought me to the field as a surprise. It was filled with brilliant yellow colors and I was overwhelmed and brought to tears.

Since the trip to my son's field, sunflowers evoke a deep sense of connection within me. Taking in their radiance expands my acceptance of all things. Somehow they are like an equalizer, reminding me that I am consistently surrounded by beauty that I have yet to see. As they sway in a field, a sense of everlasting happiness swells inside of me.

I can hardly wait to bring sunflowers home to snuggle into a vase. Glancing up to see them stirs my heart. I notice them in greater detail, developing an appreciation for the petals and the tight seeds in the center. And is this not symbolic of life ... slowing down to appreciate the uniqueness of everything around us?

Bend, Do Not Break

"A bend in the road is not the end of the road ...

Unless you fail to make the turn"

Helen Keller

As change occurs, we must avoid rigidity and thoughts of clinging to what no longer serves our highest desire. Unfortunately, there is comfort in what we know, even if it is toxic. Unnecessary fear builds up resistance, preventing us from the natural flow. There needs to be a willingness to change.

Releasing attachment to what is no longer available, we can apply flexibility to what now surfaces. It is with curiosity, we greet new opportunities and relationships. When in tune with reality, we are able to shift both internally and externally. We can bend with anticipation rather than remaining stuck eliminating the sense of a broken spirit.

Physical exercise stretches our bodies and increases our ability to move fluently. Stretching our minds enhances our capabilities to stretch and grow. Positive outcome does not require physical, mental or spiritual breaking. As we re-engage with a hopeful heart, new beginnings appear and right action prevails.