I walked a 1.5 mile trail near the campground through shady wooded areas that eventually opened into prairie land. While the terrain remained steadily flat, the landscape morphed throughout the walk. As I passed a lake, I noticed wildflowers growing along the path in vivid color.
I’ve always been fascinated by flowers that grow wildly in places they may never be seen. Just as some ask, “If a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound,” I have wondered, “If a flower grows where no eye can see it, is it still beautiful?”
Questions about Relevance
A dear friend shared a reading with me a few weeks ago that continues to echo through my mind. It stated “St. Francis of Assisi understood something terrifying and beautiful: you can be deeply loved by God and still not be consulted by people.” The reading went on to point out that the saints were not obsessed with being influential, nor were they desperate to be acknowledged. It ended with a question that lingered long after I finished reading: “How can I love even when unseen?”
As I walked that trail, the message surfaced again. The radiance of those flowers did not appear because my gaze fell upon them. Their color and beauty existed long before I arrived and would remain long after I passed by. They grew and thrived regardless of anyone’s acknowledgment.
In fact, I shared the trail with other people who walked by without slowing to admire the colors and variety around them. Sometimes life feels much the same. People pass by seemingly unaware of my efforts, contribution, and experience. Yet, I received a thank you card that felt like someone had slowed down on the path of life and taken notice.
Planted to Bloom
As I reflected on those flowers, I realized there is another lesson hidden along the trail. Perhaps my role is not only to bloom, but also to notice the beauty growing around me. Every day, people quietly offer kindness, wisdom, effort and unique talents that often go unrecognized. How many gifts have I walked past simply because I was moving too quickly to see them?
My spirit was uplifted by those little flowers along the trail. They reminded me that my job is simply to bloom, even when no one notices or offers thanks. I can share my unique gifts and abilities without chasing relevance or needing to be consulted. And I can slow down long enough to appreciate the beauty others bring to the world as well. I am deeply loved by God, who planted me here to grow, thrive and live a radiantly full life. Whether we are consulted, acknowledged, or overlooked, our purpose remains the same: to bloom.