Several years ago, Tim bought me an orchid. I don’t remember the occasion. Probably a birthday or anniversary or maybe I was just having a bad day. Either way, he bought me an orchid. And I immediately had a photo shoot with said orchid in the dark under my kitchen table. The photos are gorgeous. (Really, you can check them out on my Facebook page or website).
But this post isn’t about those photos. This post is about the orchid itself. You see, the blooms faded and died. I read up on orchid care (wow, intimidating much?) and promptly resolved to make it bloom again. I kept the plant alive. Gorgeous green, healthy leaves rewarded me. But it refused to bloom.
Fast forward a few years. Tim and I moved into a new house last year. The orchid came along. We have both flourished. Something about the move both settled and freed something in me. We entertained more. We explored more. We were happier at home. We settled in to who we are, where we are, and the kind of life we want to live.
And the orchid is blooming.
Clearly this is a metaphor for life. For being in the right place for you. For finding the conditions under which you not only survive, but thrive. Because you might be technically alive, but are you living to your potential? Are you blooming?
Moving your entire household might not be in the cards for you. But I think we can all benefit from looking around and figuring out if our conditions are preventing us from blooming. And then, make a change. Even a small one. Find your optimal light, and let your beauty shine.
-Robin