Let Your Soul BlossomBlossom is a word most often associated with nature. Flowers blossom. Trees blossom. Springtime is abundant with blossoms. The word is less frequently associated with souls, but your soul can blossom if you let it. How does that happen? What does it take? How do you awaken the seed of a soul that lies dormant? How do you promote its growth? You must nourish and nurture it just as you nourish and nurture a tree or a flower. I’m not talking about planting, watering, and fertilizing. The seed of your soul is already planted deep within you and has been since birth — since before your birth into this life. It’s been there forever. And yes, you need to stay hydrated and eat well so that the body that houses your soul stays healthy. But there are many other things that contribute to the health of your soul. Here are just a few. Gratitude. Think of something that you are grateful for. Just one thing. Then, like an invasive plant that takes over your garden, you will realize that you are surrounded by things for which you are grateful. Why? Gratitude promotes more gratitude. According to Henry Ward Beecher, “Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul”. Forgiveness. It can be difficult to release pain, anger, resentment, and other negative feelings we have towards ourselves and others. But if you don’t prune away that negativity it will strangle your soul like a vine wrapped too tightly around the host plant. “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” (Mark Twain) Joy. “Let your joy burst forth like flowers in the spring.” Without joy your soul will shrivel to nothingness, like a plant deprived of sunshine and water. Smile. Laugh. Be happy. Find joy. Marcel Proust said “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” May you be surrounded with people who make you happy, and may your soul bloom.
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