Читать книгу The Wisdom of Wildflowers - Heather Robbins - Страница 5

I have always loved being outdoors. In fact my happiest memories are from when I was a child, playing in the backyard, hiking in the foothills, or camping in the mountains. My precious childhood collections comprised of interesting rocks, leaves, and feathers that I found on my many outdoor excursions. And, of course, I picked wildflowers. Lots and lots of wildflowers. My fledgling imagination, with the stories and scenarios I would invent each time I came across a grove of flowers, was barely contained within my tiny body. Wildflowers were an ever-present and integral part of my world of fairies, princesses, and knights in shining armor.

Having lived on a cattle ranch on the Canadian prairies for most of my adult life allowed me to stay close to nature. Today I continue to pick bouquets of wildflowers whenever I can, and nature still sings to me, inspiring my heart and soul to live my best life.

When I see these beautiful flowers now, I am reminded of the many things that have happened in my life and that continue to affect me as I journey through this world. Flowers speak to me of my past, my family, my relationships, and my responsibilities to myself and others. I am inspired to think more positively, feel more deeply, and live life with a grateful, happy heart, just as God intended.

Nature is God’s way of helping us calm our thoughts and gently guide us to the answers we seek, answers that are always lying within, but sometimes need gentle nudges to bring them into the light. Wildflowers tell us to pause, take a deep breath, and listen to that inner guidance. They help us pay attention to what our spirit is saying. Tuning into that guidance takes awareness and a willingness to uncover one’s true self. Indeed, everything we need to live a beautiful life already lies within us—our innate wisdom, our strength, our grace, and our humanity.

Many of us go through our lives with a deeply rooted sense of not being acceptable or lovable. Unfortunately, most of us received these messages when we were very young, and as we navigated through our lives we found ourselves surrounded by people who unwittingly reinforced those narratives. So it was only natural that we came to believe them and let them define who we are. Little wonder many of us struggle with not feeling valued and respected.

Regardless of where these early messages came from, and how long we have been believing them, it is never too late to change course.

For many of us, the journey through life is not an easy one, but it can still be blessed with the beauty and wonderment of God’s love when we approach each day with a grateful, understanding heart. Find the place where your spirit rests, whatever or wherever that is, and begin to listen to your precious inner yearnings.

For me that place is in nature. I completely lay down my defenses when I am out in the fields, and open myself up to hear the songs from my soul. The wildflowers whisper their stories to me, guiding me to my innermost thoughts and feelings. They gently direct me to live well, with peace and grace.