Hello again!
Since April's blog, when I wrote how I'd I noticed and marvelled at how flowers close up when it's cold, wet or dark and open up again to bask in the sun, I've been observing different plants in different weather conditions and looking online to see why that happens. I haven't found a definitive answer but the theory is that flowers close up their petals to protect their fragile pollen from getting damaged or wet and too heavy for bees and other pollinators to carry - guaranteeing the species' survival. Clever, eh?
Then last month I wrote about abeyance, the "in-between" times when it feels like nothing is happening; I've been observing, pondering and asking questions about that too. Whether or not I look at the buds or garlic heads doesn't make any difference; the cycle of life continues, day after day, season after season. Yes, the garlic heads are changing shape - light purple seed-bearing flowers are forming inside but the outer skin (called a bract) is keeping them protected from the elements until they are strong enough to be scattered by the wind or passing birds.
I took all the pictures above within a few feet of my front door - most of the time, I'm "on the way out" or "on the way back" and oblivious to the tiny but constant changes that have been happening right under my nose. It's all too tempting to want to rush this unseen part of the process - we all want to see progress, right? But, taking the cue from what's around us, how much better it would be to grow our ideas, projects, and confidence in a safe environment until they are ready to be exposed; to avoid the urge to try and take shortcuts on this long and winding path of learning.
How about you? Are you trying to get something finished or "out" before it's ready? Are there moments of growth you need to stop and notice a bit more? Do you give yourself a hard time because you're not where you think you "should" be? What about the progress that's already happened? Try taking a moment to consider what's around you and see what can you learn from the changes in Nature right now; I'd love to hear what you're learning!
Please share this post with anyone you think it could benefit; maybe they're at a point where they should pause and ponder a bit more on their journey too!
Until next time, let's keep learning...
On the subject of learning, next month we're running a series of online workshops to help individuals or groups learn to identify areas of "stuckness" and develop strategies to deal with them both now and in the future.
The sessions will run from 6.30-9pm every Monday in July on Zoom, and the price of £120.00/€140.00 includes all sessions, access to individual support between the sessions and a PDF workbook.
To find out more and book a place, go to:
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