This week as I walked up my front path, I noticed out of the corner of my eye the helleborus orientalis, the Lenten rose, showing buds of life.
It struck me as a gift of life in the midst of winter and a symbol of resiliency.
This small unassuming plant has spent the whole year preparing for this moment – to flower and offer its beauty to the world – a gift of hope and light at a time when spring seems so far away.
Witnessing this incredible plant with its buds fat and ready to open, reminded me to slow down and pay attention. Growth and blooming cannot be rushed or forced. It is about surrendering to what is and nurturing who I am.
There are gifts of beauty and life all around me; in spite of this cold dark winter season.
As I honour and thank 2022 for all that it has given me – growth, opportunities, surprises, joy, adventure, letting go, and the expansiveness of love – I want to enter 2023 like the helleborus orientalis: ready to bloom.
Blooming for me this year:
Recognizing there will be growing pains
Remembering to slow down and pay attention
Noticing moments of connection and embracing them
Verbally and physically sharing my love with myself and others
Remembering that winter is a season and spring will come
Life is meant to be lived – embodied and connected to myself, others, nature and the divine.
Sitting here now I take a deep breath, breathing in all that 2022 afforded and gifted me, letting it filter down into the very core of my being; to settle and take root.
I breathe out knowing that 2023 is waiting and ready for me to walk into and delight in all it has to offer – starting with the blooms of the Lenten rose.
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