Finding Focus in My Blossoming [28]

From the Heart the Rose Came Forth, Singing with Tongues Like Raging Waters

In the Garden of Life, our narratives are often entwined with the symbolism we find in nature. In May, I was prompted to write a description of myself in a picture. Out of that came a poem, “The Rose”.

A rose.

Strong, vibrant, centered, open, fully bloomed, receiving the eyes and attention of others, absorbing the morning dews as new ideas of a created world ready to be discovered.

Beside this vibrant bloom are closed buds, ready to be understood, heard, and seen. But ultimately, we know that there are the blooms long gone, brittle stems of what used to be. And all of these guarded by a stem, with thorns, that transcend life itself, holding the fragile together, a friend.

But the ROOT is what I do not show. The source, the life, the breath from which it all flows.  This is me. I am in the soil. The flower is my life, my voice, my mind... may it grow for others to be empowered to rise from their own place from the Earth and live.

I have grown even more since then, understanding my theme, purpose, and power.

Recently one of those tiny blooms opened to the world, breathing life into the garden, and giving rise to a new set of seeds, a brilliant clarity that I have longed to find. The creation of a framework gives me the ability to sort my passions and more importantly, my interactions with life.

With people.

Here I expand that discovery and intersect it with that platform… as a test for my own life… so that I may engage with others in like manner.

The rose, with its enigmatic beauty and layered existence, provides a poignant metaphor for the human condition. As an image that captures the complexity of our growth, it reflects the multifaceted journey we undertake in seeking authenticity and purpose. This is where the R.E.A.L. framework intersects, offering a lens through which we can view and understand our unfolding. Through the rich imagery of a rose – strong, vibrant, and rooted – we find a powerful emblem for the REAL principles that underpin a life lived in full bloom.

R - Real (Recognizing Your Authentic Self)

The rose in full bloom represents the authentic self that you've embraced and chosen to present to the world. It's the part of you that's strong, vibrant, and open—traits that are vital in the 'Real' aspect of the framework. The poem suggests a coming into one's own, a realization and acknowledgment of one's true nature and beauty. It's about shedding the inauthentic and daring to be seen in full splendor.

E - Engaged (Being Present and Connected)

The "morning dews as new ideas of a created world ready to be discovered" speaks to the 'Engaged' aspect. It's the active participation in the world, the readiness to absorb and interact with new concepts, and the willingness to connect with others through the vulnerability of being seen. The closed buds beside the bloom symbolize potential connections and engagements that are yet to unfold.

A - Authentic (Living with Integrity and Purpose)

The 'Authentic' element is mirrored in the thorns and the stem that hold everything together—a representation of boundaries, resilience, and the sometimes protective measures required to maintain integrity. The thorns are not just defenses, but also a part of the rose's identity, a necessary aspect of its existence that allows it to thrive.

L - Living (Embracing Life's Fullness)

Finally, the 'Living' part of REAL is embodied in the roots—hidden, yet the source of life, breath, and sustenance. It's a powerful metaphor for the often unseen aspects of our journey that give us strength and nourishment. The roots represent your inner life, the deep, personal growth, and the foundational beliefs from which everything else flows.

Conclusion:

The journey of self-discovery and authentic living is much like the life cycle of a rose. It demands that we recognize our blooming presence, engage with the world like morning dew on petals, define our boundaries with protective thorns, and draw strength from the unseen roots of our being. In the poem, each element of the rose is a chapter of a larger story, a piece of the whole that is as significant as the sum of its parts. The REAL framework does not just complement this metaphor; it brings it into sharper focus, providing a structured approach to navigating the complexities of our lives. Just as the rose reaches for the sun, we too strive for a life that is rich, vibrant, and deeply rooted in the soil of our experiences. May this understanding guide us to grow from our places on the earth and empower us to live with the fullness that was always meant for us.

I’m resting. waiting. living. growing…