Blossoming
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
Blossoming represents the moment when flowers open fully to the sun, revealing their vibrant colors and fragrances. I now see, and appreciate, how each season in my journey of fallow rest, soil preparation, seed planting, germination, and rapid growth has contributed to a more purposeful life.
Blossoming is also a call to share what I’ve cultivated. Flowers don’t bloom just for themselves; they add beauty to the world, attract pollinators, and ensure the cycle of life continues. Similarly, I aim to use my skills and insights to benefit my family, friends, colleagues, and community. By mentoring others and radiating positivity in everyday interactions, I expand the circle of growth that started with a single moment of disruption.
All the while, it’s clear that while some stalks will grow, blossom and bear fruit, others are becoming vulnerable, weak and are likely to be pruned.
Anaïs Nin’s reminds us that staying confined by old fears can hurt more than the uncertainty of expansion. Another mentor has mentioned that “opportunity lies on the exit ramp from your comfort zone.” To blossom, I must step out of my comfort zones, risking the possibility of vulnerability for the promise of fuller, more vibrant living. In this season, I recognize how far I’ve come since nearly losing my life, and definitely losing my faith in myself and humanity. Though challenges will undoubtedly continue, I carry the confidence and wisdom that each stage of this journey has bestowed. Now, I bloom not for a moment, but as part of a lifelong process of renewal and transformation.
[Nin, Anaïs. The Diary of Anaïs Nin, 1931–1934. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1966]