“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Gerbera daisy was in full bloom when I bought it at the Farmer’s Market this May. Nestled, with several other annuals, into the large crock in front of our house, it exuded sunny health.
After a few weeks, it stopped blooming. All summer I watered and fed it, and the warm sun shone on it, but it did not produce flowers. Its leaves, however, grew and stayed such a lush green I didn’t uproot it these past weeks as I emptied plant pots for the winter.
But, a few days ago, in November, several daisies emerged through leaves, like shy but happy debutantes at the last hour of the ball! I’m treasuring this unexpected burst of color just days before a predicted killing frost.
We never know when our hard work in life: changing our part in a relationship pattern, caring for ourselves differently, working on a life goal, showing up for exercise or deciding to address an addiction may yield a burst of hope and color.
“Have patience with all things, But, first of all with yourself.” Saint Francis de Sales
Just because results aren’t visible right away does not mean nothing is changing or growing or preparing to bloom. Remember that, and carry on with what you have decided is important for you to attend to.
Brenda Hartman-Souder
November 2018