So. Anyone who knows just about anything about me knows that I love sunflowers. Hence, the title of my blog, my constant reference to them on social media, my road trips to the northern part of Louisiana to visit the sunflower fields in the early summer, and my new tattoo. One of my Facebook friends posted a photo on my wall today that said that sunflowers usually face the sun, but when they cannot find the sun, they face each other. Now, I knew that their bulbs move throughout the day to face the sun, but I didn't know they faced each other. After a little research, I found two explanations: 1. They face each other to exchange energy when they can't absorb any from the sun. 2. Mature sunflowers face East and growing sunflowers follow the sun, hence, at some point during the day, the growing flower will end up facing the mature flowers. Interesting stuff, those beautiful flowers are. But, in the midst of my peaking interest, a different thought came to mind. We should be like those sunflowers! Let me explain....
We all, every single one of us, go through hard times. Whether it is an internal or external struggle, we all face times in our lives where the darkness seems so heavy that we don't know if we will make it out of that place. But, in those moments, the only thing that will help to pull us out is to look for the sun or some form of light. We have to fix our face on the positive things that bring us joy and give us a reason to keep pressing forward. If you are fortunate, that works every time and you continue to grow. But, if you are anything like me, there are times when even that is not enough....when we just can't see that light that we yearn for. So, what do we do then? I was always taught that God puts certain people in our lives for a certain purpose. Life has shown me that that purpose is to help us see His light through those earthly connections. Sometimes, when we can't see or feel a thing, our faith may be challenged and even waiver. But, if you really look close enough, you can see God in the people and the things around you. If this is the case, then that means that in those times that we can't see the light, we need to be like those sunflowers and turn to each other. We need to turn to the people who will pour light and love into us to help pull us through the darkness. Why? Because they have the power to bring the light straight to us, even when we don't want to see it.
I have a bad habit of burying the painful things that I encounter. I'm sure I am the only one in the world who does that, right??!! Of course not. But, as people, we think that we have to be strong enough to deal with it all alone. That's a lie! If we were meant to exist and thrive in a vacuum, then there wouldn't be so many ways of making connections with one another. A few months ago, I went through one of the darkest spaces that I have been through in a very long time. I could not see the sun and did not want to do anything to even give myself the chance to see it. But, then something in me reminded me that I have a massive support system around me (my sunflower field) that I could turn to for support and to bring that light directly to me. So, I did. I called my sisters, I called my friends, I sat and talked to my mother, I processed with my children, and I even shared my experience with my social media friends. Let me tell you, the amount of support that I received in that darkness was amazing! So many people reminded me of how much I meant to them, of how much more I have to offer the world, and of how important it was for me to get up and keep going. Within days, I was back to myself. The only reason that I bounced back is because when I couldn't face the sun through the darkness, I turned to face those around me and they faced me back to give me light and love.
There will inevitably be times when we just can't find the sun because of the darkness. In those times, I encourage you to be a sunflower! Turn to those around you who are standing with you and let them give you the light and love that you need to keep going. And when they need you, give them reciprocity...pour back into them!
Light and Love......
