Blooming out of the mud

To Bud or Blossom? A month ago I wrote here about how I still wanted to stay protected tight inside the bud for awhile longer. In Jessica’s Invincible Summer course she encouraged us to take a look at the quote and write again. It was interesting how my perspective had changed in a month’s time.

” I am starting to feel it. I am beginning to blossom…slowly, gently, a little at a time. It is feeling safer to peek out of the bud and unfold my petals, stretching upwards towards the sun. A month ago I was fascinated with the peony flowers, which bloom quickly with a huge, glorious flower. Yet the idea of blooming seemed like too much work then, and kind of scary.

Now I am gravitating towards watching the water lilies in our pond. They open and bloom each morning, as rays of sunshine warm the petals and make them want to stretch. At night, the petals retreat back, allowing the bud to close back around them. It looks like being held in the arms of the leaves to cocoon overnight. On  cloudy days, the flower petals stay inside the bud and rest.

Yes, right now I am a lily. I am ready to open up and blossom gently. But I still need lots of quiet time, resting back inside the bud. Held there to rest, replenish and be nourished. Yes, I am content to be the water lily.”~Nancy

Water Lilies inside the bud…resting.

Water Lily blooming in the sun

I thought about how the lily is often used to represent harmony, peace or spiritual growth. I decided to research the meaning of the water lily, or lotus. Look what I found!

“As the lotus flower grows up from the mud into an object of great beauty, people also grow and change into something more beautiful. So the symbol represents the struggle of life at its most basic form. Lotus flower symbols are also popular for people who have gone through a hard time and are now coming out of it.”

Wow. That is even more perfect than I thought! I love when we are led to those “aha” moments.

I am grateful for water lilies for their message of hope, and their beauty.

Have a beautiful weekend! Thank you for sharing the journey with me. I pass along the Water Lily, as a sign of hope for you too!

Blessings, Nancy