We have this potted plant outside our front door. For a while it was a really pretty gardenia. We loved its fragrant and gorgeous blossoms. Then some hot, dry, end of summer days came around and our gardenia started looking a little whithered. We added water but it didn’t seem to make a difference. We added more water and still, there wasn’t any difference. The gardenia plant eventually died. When I pulled the gardenia out of the pot, I saw that the roots had all but disappeared, and the potting soil was basically a soggy marsh…it even smelled a bit swampy. Evidently, the gardenia hadn’t been drinking the water at all (and we had a bit of a drainage problem).
Several days later I planted some purple nemesia flowers. As I planted these flowers, I noticed again how soggy the soil was. I wasn’t sure how these plants would perform in this environment but I thought we would just have to give them a chance.
It has been a month and a half now and I have yet to water this pot. The nemesias are drinking up the water in the soil and appear to be thriving. We have enjoyed bloom after bloom of these delicate purple beauties.
I just love the life lesson embedded in this story. Our environment is so important. While I do believe it is possible to “bloom where you’re planted,” I also believe that sometimes we can be living in an environment that absolutely stifles us and makes it impossible for us to grow. So today, I ask you to look at your life. Consider your family, your friends, your job, your home, the car you drive in each day, the road you take in to work, things like that, and reflect on whether or not these are contributing to your demise, or your vitality. If you are being cut off at the roots, make some changes to protect yourself. Perhaps you need more order in your life or perhaps you need to be less rigid; perhaps you need to spend more time with the friends who make you feel loved and accepted and less time with the others; perhaps you need to spruce up your home, whether by cleaning it, decluttering it, or adding a few inexpensive decorating touches.
If you are blooming where you are planted, give thanks!
Hi Jodi,
What a beautiful post and I just love the picture. Thank you so much for sharing your insights.
Nourishing our soul is so important and yet so many of us are unaware that what we surround ourselves with does impact us on some level.
Many years ago, I decide to de-toxicify (I have no idea if that is an actual word) my life. Interestingly enough, the people who were not doing me any good, some how left on their own. I got rid of our television and only started to watch stuff that really made me feel good as opposed to feeding human fear. It truly made things so much better. I am still in the process of trying to find the perfect job but at least I know what I want to do and everything else is pretty awesome. So I am very grateful.
Jodi,
Beautiful post. Thank you! I have just decided that my own “inner garden” needs some tending–something I’ve never really taken the time to do. But am doing now. It’s hard work but also joyous at the same time. Pulling weeds, thinking of what to plant, excited to watch things blossom…your words are exactly right on!
I like this idea, and while I, too, have seen and embraced the quote that says “bloom where you’re planted,” I appreciate the challenge you’ve posed.
I did something totally new two weekends ago, and helped run a big spiritual event. I wasn’t sure I’d like giving up two full days in a row to work from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m., but quite the contrary, I loved it! The environment was full of love, open-mindedness, healing and laughter. As a result, I flourished! At the end of each day, I went home tired, but not exhausted. I felt fulfilled.
On the other hand, when I used to work my very comfortable 40-hour per week job that was as flexible as a well worn rubber band, many times I’d be exhausted at day’s end because I didn’t love it. The environment wasn’t quite right.
So now you have me thinking, “How else could I improve my environment?” Cheap decorations might be just the trick for Christmas… (I tend to be a minimalist, and then regret not decorating this time of year.) Thanks, Jodi!
A perfect post to remind us to be happy where we are. To give ourselves over fully to the lessons at hand.
I, too, love flowers and often take my life lessons from them. Right now, my garden is fading. Fall in Michigan and for quite a while I was sad. There are mums though, bright and colorful. They remind me to look at the bright side, like for the good, even ahead toward spring when I will be able to “dig in” again. Another bright spot is that all the birds that are now flocking to our feeders now that the plants are drying up. They are so fun to watch, humorous with their antics. They remind me to take my life lightly, to appreciate what is here. I KNOW they are appreciating all the seed we are putting out on these cold, windy days. Yes, may we all bloom where we are planted. (One of my fave sayings, by the way). May you be blessed…
Jodi, what a perfect analogy. This is something I began four years ago when I left an abusive marriage, but somehow stalled about a year ago.
Your post may just be the motivation I need to begin again to adjust my environment from one of survival to thriving.
Thank you.
Karen
Dear Jodi,
What a beautiful reminder that even when we think we’re nuturing our environment, we’re stifling it. Too much water drowned the Gardenia, but yet the Nemesia is blooming and thriving.
Sometimes we think we’re doing the right thing but for all the wrong reasons…
I’m happy to see you back! I missed you
Hi Jodi and thanks for the lovely and insightful post!
One thing my husband and I routinely do is “check-in”: “Is this way of doing things still right for us?” or “Are these particular friends still nourshing to us?” or even something as simple as: “Does it still make sense for us to keep ‘x’ item in the linen closet, as opposed to the closet downstairs?” I guess that’s one of the ways we keep our lives clean and fresh. Because when you keep doing something the way you’ve always done…maybe you have changed or circumstances have changed, so it just might be time to re-think how you do things!
The plant analogy is a perfect metaphor for learning. By the way, we recently re-arranged an entire level of our home, and it was AMAZING what a lift it gave us! Just a simple little change can have a dramatic effect on your mood and on the energy around you.
Thanks, Jodi!
Hi Jodi,
That’s a beautiful picture!
It was only two and half years ago that I realized I wasn’t blooming because of stuck patterns–and environment I had created myself. It only takes a bit of clear seeing to help us get out of our own toxicity.
Thanks for an insightful article.
k
I need to clean my office. Delete a bunch of stuff on my computer and learn how to properly use my Blackberry.
We just got recycling pick up so we don’t have to drop it off anymore.
I love the flowers and miss them in AZ. I think I’m going to have a mini lavendar farm when I retire. It thrives here. At least rent some land if that doesn’t work out.
Hmm what else it cutting me off at the roots? I have to think about that. Nothing major but it’s that little stuff that adds up and causes me root rot!
Hi Nadia!
Your plan to detoxify your life is awesome! I think it’s difficult to get everything right all at once. So now must be your time to focus on that amazing job that is just right for you. I know you are on track for that!
Hi Joy!
Ohhh, the inner garden! Yes, that needs tending by us all. And you are right, usually by the time we give it the attention it needs, there are weeds to be pulled as well as seeds to be planted! I’m glad you are working on this now. Best wishes for peace and joy as you move forward!
Hi Megan!
It is wonderful that you enjoyed yourself so much at the spiritual event. I love that feeling of blissful exhaustion and being totally fulfilled–that is wonderful. And I know what you mean about comparing that to a job that made you feel depleted some days, before. Your idea of the Christmas decorations to spruce up your place for the holidays is a good one! I tend to hold back on this stuff, too, and then regret it later when I feel like I haven’t displayed any “school spirit.” Perfect example is this Halloween when I put out a few things and did not dress up. One of my very close friends dressed up about six times, in four different costumes (!!) and Halloween was absolutely everywhere in her house! Who ends up having more fun?? And whose kids have a more “fun” memory of Halloween? Maybe next year I’ll have to stretch my comfort zone!!
Hi Jan!
You know part of the reason this garden tale made me happy is it made me think of you and all the great things you have learned and shared from your garden flowers and plants! I love all the ways you are seeing grace in your garden even as fall looms and winter is upon us. I love it that you see humor in those little birds visiting you for the seeds! Enjoy the season!! xo!
Hi Karen!
I am sure that leaving your abusive situation was a monumental task and perhaps survival was what you could do best for the time being. If you are seeing this post as a small jolt of motivation, maybe you are ready to expand again and grow. Be like those little purple blossoms stretching out and greeting the sun! Good luck and remember, even the smallest changes reap grand rewards! I’m rooting for you! Thank you for sharing your experience!
Hi Peggy!
Oh definitely we can be doing the right thing for the wrong reasons…and sometimes the wrong thing for the right reasons. Life can seem so complicated but it’s really not; we are strong enough to handle anything that comes our way! Glad to be back–thank you for coming by here today! Your fantastic support is a bright spot in my day!
Hi Michelle!
I love it that you and your husband check in with each other about these issues in your lives. What a way to “tend your garden” as well as communicate in such a loving, positive, proactive way!
And, how exciting that you rearranged your bottom floor!! It makes me happy to hear how it made such a difference. Sometimes we don’t need to spend a dime–just repositioning refreshes the space and makes us feel refreshed! How wonderful!!
Hi Kaushik!
I am glad you saw through what you were doing and cleared a new path to happiness–and profound insight! Thank you for your contribution to the conversation!
Hi Tess!
Interesting comment. My environment issues are very similar to yours. They are not monumental changes or projects–just these small tasks that clutter my being if I don’t handle them in due time and keep them in proper perspective. I’m glad your list is at least short!
The other part of your comment that struck me was your mention of the lavendar, and how you not only love it but that it also thrives in the climate where you live. That is really intriguing to me. I think you might need to explore that a bit more! Don’t wait! Plant a small lavendar garden now! Or bring some dried lavendar inside! Maybe that’s a small piece of serenity your inner self is craving!
Recently, I lay the seeds in a new location for my blog. While it has been difficult to leave the old location, I realize that the move is necessary as an indication of my intent for renewal. I hope that a beautiful garden will start to sprout from the seeds. May the birds, bees and butterflies come to nestle amongst the flowers, leaves and twigs.
Jodi,
I LOVE this message! It’s so easy to be the first plant – the one that is not thriving – and just keep doing the same thing. One thing I love to do is to take different roads on my way to work. And they all take me off the beaten path, and onto country roads. It’s always deeply connecting to do this. It’s just a road, but it’s so much more. It’s the “no traffic”, and the slower pace, and the wildlife, and the fields, and the ponds. So – I love these other routes – and I do take them sometimes. Why not more, though? It takes maybe two minutes more to take the “scenic route” – and I do it only now and then.
And that’s one thing to do that while driving to work – and it can make a difference. The bigger thought here for me, though, is how much am I doing this with my “life”? How often do I not veer off the known path, and what am I missing because I do what is known? Jodi – as I leave here today, I am thinking very deeply about what this all means…thank you, my friend, for opening that door a little wider…
You speak to my heart. We don’t thrive everywhere. Let us all find the place we thrive and sing our own unique song. Thank you.
Jodi, this post reminds me so much of my gardening experience this year when I was re-potting some flowers, and discovered the gross soggy soil.. oh it was disheartening! It seems, I often over water them and well my expertise is more with herbs.. but I realized that I tend to ‘overcompensate’ at times rather than give the much needed simple attention and love. I still have much to learn in the area of gardening ~even in the pots! Environment is so important! I love learning these lessons from stories like you shared for they stick with me longer, and help me to make some wise changes in my life!
This post challenges me to keep ‘trying new things’ as I’ve been doing lately and although ‘it feels different’ it is simply a growth spurt! I thoroughly enjoy networking with such a positive group – like your lovely self! 
The positive energies are vibrant, and contagious with love here! 
Thanks for sharing! I always look forward to your posts, my dear! ~Jen
Hi Evelyn!
Your new site is wonderful and I can’t wait to read what you post next! I know what you mean, though, about how it was difficult to leave the old one. Sometimes in order to change what we’re doing we have to leave the structure of what we’ve done before. Kudos to you for taking your meditation retreat time and for coming back with this new plan–and having the courage to carry it through!
Hi Lance!
Driving to work through those country roads sounds wonderful! Maybe you save those drives so they will remain special and not accidentally become just as ordinary as driving through the city? It’s so great that you are so mindful of the experience when you do it. I love it that you connect this experience to the bigger picture of your life. We could all use at least some fine tuning in certain areas!
Hi Erin!
Thank you so much for coming by here today! Thank you for yor comment! I like the vision of us all being here to sing our own unique song.
Hi Jen!
You are right, we are so fortunate to all be part of this network. The positive energy and support is palpable! Thank you so much for being here, and definitely keep up the good work with trying new things and exanding your horizons! xo!
Hi Jodi
Like the others I found this post true to my heart.I have been able to take this last year off for a sabbatical and enjoyed each day. I am presently taking a Biology course and find it very fascinating. It is all about our environment and growth.
I am writing this very early in the morning, after which I have worked on my novel. It was soothing. Bedtime zzzzzzzz
Thanks a bunch. xx
Hi Joydi!
Lovely plant and lovely analogy. I’ve always loved the “Bloom Where you are planted” thing. It is simple but not necessarily easy. Your post is a gentle reminder – thank you!
Hi Roberta,
Taking a sabbatical is truly a gift–wow! I’m glad to hear you have enjoyed it so much. The class you’re taking sounds interesting, too. And, to top it all off, you are writing a novel–yeah!! Wonderful, wonderful to know all of this! Best to you! Jodi
Hi SuZen!
Isn’t that funny, there are so many things in life that are simple but not necessarily easy! Thank you for stopping by here!! xo, J
[...] happy to see my friend, Jodi, back this week (I nearly sent out an APB because I thought she was MIA) and with a great post on [...]
My first time here and I already like the feel…this speaks highly and to the heart of the matter for me…
Hi Jakki,
Thank you for stopping by! I hope you will be back!
Wishing you much joy, Jodi