Now, I've always been a sucker for a sunflower. Cheerful, vibrant, the bright focal point of a bouquet -- what's not to love? The sunflower is a symbol of warmth, of light, a constant reminder to be positive, which is exactly why I've kept it as the lock screen on my phone for the past five months. After reading this post, however, the sunflower has grown to have an even deeper meaning for me.
From Victoria's Garden:
"Sunflowers turn according to the position of the sun. In other words, they "chase the light." You might already know this, but there is another fact that you probably do not know...
Have you ever wondered what happens on cloudy and rainy days when the sun is completely covered by clouds?
Perhaps you think the sunflower withers or turns its head toward the ground. Well, that's incorrect! This is what happens: They turn towards each other to share their energy.
Now let's apply this reflection to our lives. Many people may become low-spirited, and the most vulnerable ones, sometimes, become depressed.
How about following the example of the beautiful sunflowers (i.e. supporting and empowering each other). Nature has so much to teach us.
For so many reasons, this post resonated strongly with me. I had spent the summer away from my newly-found college friends and freedom, and was dealing with some struggles in my personal life. I was starting to feel nervous about entering the new school year and experiencing the accompanying "sophomore slump." When I first stepped foot on campus, I felt extremely vulnerable, uncertain as to whether or not I was on the right path to achieve my goals.
Looking back now, I can see that for a variety of reasons, I was making the wrong choices. I was stuck in a major path that I hated, fearful of deviating from the restrictive routine I had caged myself in, and afraid to reveal to anyone how much I was cracking under the self-inflicted pressure to be perfect. Beyond that, I was scared to talk about my feelings in a productive way. I had passions and ideas, but I had allowed an expectation of the person I thought I was supposed to be dictate the way I was living and prevent me from seeing them through. Truly, the only thing that pulled me to the finish line of that semester was meaningful moments of human connection, whether they be with close friends or kind strangers I passed on campus. Without these small instances of shared energy, I'm not sure I would be on the path I'm on now, a place I'm really thankful to be.
In the COVID-19 era, memories of being on campus seem light years away. Was there really a time we could have large group gatherings and stand closer than six feet from each other? I would easily relive some of my worst days from that semester if it meant the end of this pandemic.
To return to the sunflower metaphor, we can't control the weather -- there's no telling the next time we will see our loved ones or be able to share an embrace without fear of spreading the virus -- but we can control where we direct our energy, and with whom we share it. As it stands, the "sunshine" we've relied on for so long (our normal routines, in-person exchanges with people outside of our immediate circles, our sports, going to coffee shops, etc.) is temporarily hidden behind the clouds. We don't have a government that is collectively prioritizing the health and longevity of its people over profit. Now more than ever is the time to look within our communities, seek out ways to help each other, and put our energy toward a better future. In a time of so much uncertainty, this is easier said than done (I'm still working to find the best way I can contribute to collective healing), but I encourage you to do what you can, whether that be calling a friend you haven't talked to in a few weeks, expressing your feelings through art, extending a listening ear and open heart to someone in need, writing a letter, or donating to a food bank such as Feeding America. Energy feeds energy; there is no such thing as an act that is too small.
As seems to be a constant theme in our history, we have much to learn from nature. Through all this chaos and fear, it becomes increasingly important to look out for those around us and lift them up, and ask for help ourselves if we need it. Not only are sunflowers beautiful, but they serve as a reminder to see the good, be the good, and spread goodness everywhere we go. My intention with this blog is to create a space for connection and shared energy -- a place where sunflowers can grow. Times are tough, but we need each other now more than ever. Thank you for reading, and I hope you stick with me through this journey.
xo, mad
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