This is the Active Rain Challenge for April, being hosted by Eileen Burns 954.483.3912 and Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
The first thing that came to mind about blooming is an old phrase I heard many years ago: "Bloom where you're planted." It's not certain where the saying came from, but that's not what's important
So, what does "Bloom where you're planted" really mean?
I interpret the saying to mean that no matter what life situation or location you find yourself in, pop up, thrive, and succeed. Don't bother waiting for the ideal circumstances or opportunities to show themselves.
Plans are what they are, but life is what happens in between our plans. It's those big or sweeping curveballs that can buffet our plans or even attempt to destroy them. We have to be willing to adapt to varying conditions...it's resiliency.
The important part of living is to always get back up one more time than you fall. Those who persevere to the end will prosper and be strong. The important thing for me, personally, is to bring my plans before my Creator and commit them to Him. I do that to be sure I am within His will. I have been learning that I must be willing to accept guidance along the way.
I'm reminded of a parable in Scripture from Mark 4. There is much life wisdom in this parable.
3 “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. (You are developing an idea/plan)
4 And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. (Your idea is changed to action, but some try to discourage you, and you quit)
5 Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. (Some plans are not well developed or thought through to see passage through the rocky way)
6 But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. (I think this is where real commitment is important)
7 And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. (more obstacles. There are always naysayers or those who will try to discourage you and steal your dream.
8 But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased, and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” (through commitment, perseverance, and and never-say-die attitude, you will come to full bloom and have like-minded people in your life to encourage any future endeavors)
9 And He said to them, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
I tried to get AI to get it to look like me, but this is as close as I could get. I think I frustrated it...lol
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