Growth and Beauty

“Strength, I (have) learned, is like a littered forest floor, built of small triumphs and infinite blunders, sunny hours followed by sudden storms that tore it all down. We are one and all alike if for no other reason than the excruciating and beautiful way we grow piece by unpredictable piece, falling, pushing from the debris, rising again, and hoping for the best.” Go As A River, by Shelley Read

Sometimes beauty is highlighted by the opening bud of a beautiful and delicate flower. Blooming for no other reason than to give please and nurture to pollinators and florists.

But growth and beauty, though they sometimes intersect, aren’t always aligned. Growth can be ugly and challenging, while beauty, kindness and love, seem to always be lovely, glowing and beautiful.

But sometimes, when we look back at a “growth spurt” we see the buds of the emerging flower begin to soften its petals in preparation for blooming. Growth usually always accompanies a bloom. Where we realize what we are striving for, begins to mature.

Sometimes sacrifices are made. Sometimes just the mere wishful thinking propagates our mind and souls to produce something as lovely as new growth. Buds that will eventually attract a new lover or friend. A new path or way of life. Piece by amazing piece, just like the littered forest floor that is a collage of beauty and inspiration, nurture and small triumphs.