Bloom Like An Orchid

Right now, we have about 5 beautiful orchids in bloom. Now, mind you, I’m not the one that nurtures them. My husband is the one with the green thumb. (I think mine would be more like blue.) Many of them were given to us years ago by a dear friend who used to travel far and wide to bring home various kinds of orchids. Over the years we’ve divided, repotted and shared some of these beautiful plants.

But as you know, they aren’t always in bloom and aren’t always healthy.

As I think about how they transition from a plant with leaves to one with beautiful flowers, I can’t help but compare how we all transition from one season or chapter in life to another. Sometimes it happens in a few months. Sometimes it takes years.

The necessary care and nurturing components may be different for plants and humans, but the concepts are the same.

For example, we all depend on our environment. Tropical orchids hang on to tree bark for support. Their roots and shoots have the ability to absorb water from the humid air and store it so their nutrients from the stored water can be used during dry periods. Orchids need light and just the right temperature.

Understanding this natural environment helps the “green thumb” create just the right environment in the home. Orchids are potted in bark, not soil. Care and nurturing includes just the right amount of light, watering, humidity, temperature and nutrients. It’s sort of like creating a mini-jungle.

When your care and nurturing isn’t right, your orchids will get sick. The leaves will turn yellow. They won’t bloom. 

We’re really no different. We depend on our environment as well. When we surround ourselves with things that are pleasing to us, nourish our bodies with healthy foods, and maintain a positive mindset we settle into our comfort zone. Life is good.

But during a transition—when our world seems to be turned upside down—what happens? We lose sight of our care and nurturing. We forget to take care of our health and well-being. We spiral down into feelings of boredom, doubt, worry, blame, and even depression. We are afraid we’ll have to leave our comfort zone. We get sick.

We won’t—or can’t—bloom.

You don’t have to stay there. The first step is to acknowledge you’re in a state of transition. It’s natural to feel like things are out of control. It’s natural to have a fear of the unknown. It’s okay. You’re just expanding your comfort zone. Just take it one step at a time. Restart or find new routines for proper care and nurturing of your body, mind and soul—your orchid.

When you do that, you’ll discover new, exciting ways to turn your downward spiral into an upward one where you’ll find contentment, optimism, belief, passion and joy. You’ll bloom in ways you may not be able to imagine right now. Trust me, hard as transitions are, there’s magic outside your comfort zone. I’ve found that if you just let go of control a little bit and embrace the change (even if it’s just a little piece of it), you’ll find the magic.

If you want ideas for how to set up a morning mindset routine to help you Stage Your Day to Slay Your Day or other mindset tips, check out my resources on my website.