Lessons From Night Blooming Jasmine

I think I’ve started out the past 3 posts with “happy spring.” But honestly, I freaking LOVE spring. I remember when I lived in New York and my dear friend, Kelly, would call me the minute the temperature hit 65. We’d rush to the Hudson River in shorts - so happy that the sun was shining and that there was some sign of life again. Sometimes I think the new year should really be in spring - it’s a gorgeous time of rebirth, of new beginnings, of new life. Like the gorgeous flowers that start to surround us, we get to come out from underneath the muck and the mud and bloom. It feels like a fresh start.

I saw something recently about being a late bloomer…which is what I have considered myself. A late bloomer. I didn’t find my calling until I was 39. I knew there was more out there for me - it just took me time (what felt like A LOT of freaking time) to find it. I can’t remember where I saw it, so I’m just going to have to leave it here without proper attribution - but this genius is not mine. I’m simply sharing it because it resonated so deeply for me. Perhaps it will for you as well. 

So many people never bloom. But let’s be clear - everyone can. You just have to choose it.

And there’s a second part to this… I have always loved the buddhist saying “No Mud, No Lotus.” And last week, (also not mine) I saw this gorgeous post which says it even better: 

So go on. Bloom beautiful You. Bloom.

Go for a walk without a destination, breathe in the fresh air, feel the sun on your face, set a new intention. Poke a toe or a hand out from underneath that dark place and see what happens if you allow yourself the opportunity to bloom. 

And once again, Happy Spring. 

PS. This afternoon, after I wrote this post, I walked out my front gate and finally noticed buds on my night blooming jasmine. The rest of my neighborhood smelled of night blooming jasmine weeks ago. I thought that perhaps we were going to miss out this year. But instead, ours was just late to bloom - but it’s here as gorgeous and delicious as ever reminding me that everything happens in it’s own time…you get to be on your own timeline too.