“Bloom where you are planted.” - Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva (1567-1611)
At one time or another, chances are you’ve read these words as self-motivation and inspiration. It’s a timeless quote echoing the sentiments of our hearts desire - to flourish, grow and live out what we were originally created and capable of doing.
What this quote doesn’t speak of though is the courage it takes to bloom where you are, regardless of the season you’re in. The foundation for blooming is finding the courage it takes to push through the dirt. At times the journey can be agonizing, mysterious, and filled with doubt but it can also be filled with exquisite beauty as we reach new heights and evolve into our truly authentic selves.
Here’s some ways you can embrace courage and bloom wherever you are:
Appreciate the season you’re in
Every season serves a particular purpose and it’s important to remain planted in each. More than remaining planted, learn to appreciate and be grateful for what they can teach you. Not every season is enjoyable, desirable or comfortable. Some seasons may require sacrifice and in others you may receive abundant favour. Yet, we can take heart that God is working on the details of our heart and preparing things for us in the background that we’re yet to see.
Have the courage to remain planted and faithful where you are. See the beauty in it and see it through to the end. The downpour of rain you feel overwhelmed by at the moment may actually be what is needed to wash you clean and give you a fresh slate to begin again. Appreciation always paves the way for growth.
Do the courageous, daily
Or in the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” Years ago I took up this quote as a personal challenge in order to break through the barriers of depression and anxiety. In that particular season in my life, depression and anxiety crippled the ability to flourish where I was. It caused me to retreat inwardly instead of letting the beauty inside of me shine or remain authentically connected in community with people. It hindered me from confidently taking hold of opportunities and believing in myself. It clouded my vision for the future and I felt consistently anxious to be fully alive in the present.
This quote challenged me in the best of ways. By acknowledging what “scared” me in every day situations and then choosing to do it anyway caused me to grow in an invaluable way. Each new experience expanded my world and fed life to me. More than that, it allowed me to push through the dirt that was holding me back. Courage is like a muscle, the more you use it the stronger it becomes and the better you become at overcoming greater challenges. Doing the courageous and what isn’t comfortable may not seem pretty in that time, but it will allow you to move forward, bloom and become the best version of yourself.
Letting go in order to grow
Sometimes the best thing we can do is to simply let go - letting go of preconceived ideas, relationships, responsibilities, attitudes, habits and more. Everything we do and engage in either builds us up or tears us down. There will always come a time when the only way we can bloom and grow is to prune and let go of what’s dead in our lives so that we can come alive again. Jim Rohn says this so bluntly, “If you don’t like how things are, change it! You’re not a tree.” That’s the beauty of being human - we choose how our story is written and the degree to which we blossom into the authentic lady God so desires us to be.
Whatever season you find yourself in at the moment, be courageous enough to continue pushing through. Remain steadfast and faithful. Appreciate where you are. Do the uncomfortable and push the boundaries. Remember that every bud blossoms in its own time and you will only bloom where you are planted. Above all, don’t forget to enjoy the journey of blossoming into who you really are and living out the life you’re capable of living because of it.
Photograph by Lars Wästfelt
At one time or another, chances are you’ve read these words as self-motivation and inspiration. It’s a timeless quote echoing the sentiments of our hearts desire - to flourish, grow and live out what we were originally created and capable of doing.
What this quote doesn’t speak of though is the courage it takes to bloom where you are, regardless of the season you’re in. The foundation for blooming is finding the courage it takes to push through the dirt. At times the journey can be agonizing, mysterious, and filled with doubt but it can also be filled with exquisite beauty as we reach new heights and evolve into our truly authentic selves.
Here’s some ways you can embrace courage and bloom wherever you are:
Appreciate the season you’re in
Every season serves a particular purpose and it’s important to remain planted in each. More than remaining planted, learn to appreciate and be grateful for what they can teach you. Not every season is enjoyable, desirable or comfortable. Some seasons may require sacrifice and in others you may receive abundant favour. Yet, we can take heart that God is working on the details of our heart and preparing things for us in the background that we’re yet to see.
Have the courage to remain planted and faithful where you are. See the beauty in it and see it through to the end. The downpour of rain you feel overwhelmed by at the moment may actually be what is needed to wash you clean and give you a fresh slate to begin again. Appreciation always paves the way for growth.
Do the courageous, daily
Or in the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” Years ago I took up this quote as a personal challenge in order to break through the barriers of depression and anxiety. In that particular season in my life, depression and anxiety crippled the ability to flourish where I was. It caused me to retreat inwardly instead of letting the beauty inside of me shine or remain authentically connected in community with people. It hindered me from confidently taking hold of opportunities and believing in myself. It clouded my vision for the future and I felt consistently anxious to be fully alive in the present.
This quote challenged me in the best of ways. By acknowledging what “scared” me in every day situations and then choosing to do it anyway caused me to grow in an invaluable way. Each new experience expanded my world and fed life to me. More than that, it allowed me to push through the dirt that was holding me back. Courage is like a muscle, the more you use it the stronger it becomes and the better you become at overcoming greater challenges. Doing the courageous and what isn’t comfortable may not seem pretty in that time, but it will allow you to move forward, bloom and become the best version of yourself.
Letting go in order to grow
Sometimes the best thing we can do is to simply let go - letting go of preconceived ideas, relationships, responsibilities, attitudes, habits and more. Everything we do and engage in either builds us up or tears us down. There will always come a time when the only way we can bloom and grow is to prune and let go of what’s dead in our lives so that we can come alive again. Jim Rohn says this so bluntly, “If you don’t like how things are, change it! You’re not a tree.” That’s the beauty of being human - we choose how our story is written and the degree to which we blossom into the authentic lady God so desires us to be.
Whatever season you find yourself in at the moment, be courageous enough to continue pushing through. Remain steadfast and faithful. Appreciate where you are. Do the uncomfortable and push the boundaries. Remember that every bud blossoms in its own time and you will only bloom where you are planted. Above all, don’t forget to enjoy the journey of blossoming into who you really are and living out the life you’re capable of living because of it.
Photograph by Lars Wästfelt
| About the Gracious Guest Author Bethany Morris is the Founder and Editor of The Free Woman. She has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and resides in Melbourne, Australia. | Marked by Hope, she’s known to giggle and believes in savouring the beauty of each day with a cup of coffee. You can find her at thefreewoman.com or Instagramming @bethjae. |
