The weather is cooling off now as we head into Autumn. Lovely time of year!
This summer’s heat spell caused my indoor plants to suffer. Unfortunately, a couple of my plants – ones that usually do just fine in the warmer area – just didn’t make it. One was a gift from a friend who passed away, so it was sad to see that one go. It looked bedraggled for many weeks, and I took a couple of cuttings just in case I couldn’t bring it back. The cuttings have now rooted and are ready to be planted. It will be wonderful to see them thrive in this cooler weather.
Sometimes life causes aspects of our world to wither. A job that’s just not working out. Health issues that cause travel plans to wither. Relationships that take a hard hit because of a misunderstanding or a parting of ways.
Just like the cuttings from the plant, we salvage what we can and move forward. Job didn’t work? Take the experience and look for something different or something better. Health issues cancel a trip? Take the cue and focus on healing and healthy lifestyle so other trips may be taken. Relationships fell apart? Take the lessons and construct better ones.
Phil and I have had several businesses that didn’t fly. We learned a lot in each attempt. One was just not suited for either of us. Another was just plain bad timing as the entire industry collapsed. Another served embezzlement from an employee. We grieved. We learned. We moved on. We each tried something different. Our new careers brought joyful success.
Friendships have come and gone. Some surprisingly so. Others held shaky at best even from the beginning. Other friendships died due to moving (them or us) or a gentle drifting apart with interests no longer creating a bond. Some crashed with abrupt silence that never got cleared or addressed even when attempted.
So, we take the cuttings from failing relationships whether it’s a sweet memory to cherish or a hard lesson learned. We appreciate even the difficult lessons learned because they guide us into knowing ourselves better.
It’s easy to stop trying. It’s easy to give up. Well, it feels like it would be easier than picking oneself up and trying again. Yet, each new adventure grants us opportunities to flourish.
Are you suffering from a loss right now? Take a breath and know that failure doesn’t mean not good enough. Failure merely means something better awaits and a better you has the opportunity to discover it! Every closed door grants a blessing. Find the blessing. Find the wisdom. That’s where we find the healing.
Beneath the loss, a gift of awareness awaits discovery. What reveals itself to you now? By looking for it, rather than feeling the pain of the loss, the discovery happens. Sometimes the gift is the blessing of trust being revealed. What or whom is worthy of the trust you hold within you? Sometimes the gift is the blessing of boundaries. Did I cross one unintentionally? Did someone else step over my boundary? Did I defend myself poorly or not at all?
Sometimes the gift is Spirit telling us it’s time to move forward in a different direction. Cut yourself free from the rotten roots of what didn’t work. Then, replant yourself and flourish in a new way!