(BTW – do you see just how easily and quickly a belief is born?  A belief that can mould and affect the way you present yourself in the world?  Just food for thought!)

With that belief in mind, I have generally avoided being responsible for plant life. I might plant things outside, because I can then blame mother nature and the rabbits when it doesn’t grow. But inside… I have never had an indoor plant because of that childhood experience.

Fast forward many many years and someone gifted me an orchid!  OMG the pressure! Here’s this plant, depending on me to nurture it.  Here’s this person who gifted it to me (totally unaware of my fear of failure around plants) who is happily sharing her love of plants with me.  Here’s me, feeling all the pressure and really wanting to “just keep it alive” let alone growing.

Oy, the pressure.  But you know what? Four months later and it is still alive, and actually rather healthy as demonstrated by it blooming for a second time!  

What did I do?  Well, after doing quite a bit of research I picked a place for it, water it once a week, consciously tell it how beautiful it is every day and appreciate it.  Otherwise, I let it alone. I don’t worry about it. I don’t criticize the roots for looking pale. I don’t complain that it is not symmetric. I just let it be.

Hmmmm…… I gave it what it needed (sunshine, water, warmth, love) and allowed it to do its own thing. And it blossomed. And grew.

What if we all did this more in our relationships with ourselves and others? Wouldn’t it feel good to have a relationship where you gave authentic support and love, and then step back and let the magic happen?  That orchid knows how to grow and bloom. It has all that knowledge locked up inside of its genetics. So do you. So does your partner.

What if we all give ourselves what we are most wanting – love and nurturing – and just watch how we grow and blossom?  If we stop the nagging, the bullying and the self sabotage look what will happen – we will become a more beautiful version of ourselves.  Pretty cool, huh?

So, my suggestion is that we all give ourselves what we most want others to give to us (love, understanding, compassion), and see how that creates new growth and beauty in our lives.  I suspect you might be surprised at the outcome.

And as far as that belief I have about not being able to grow things, well, it is still there, but it sure is a lot smaller and quieter than it was a few months ago.  My ego still points out it’s only been a few months of success and doom is sure to happen, but… I just smile and enjoy my beautiful orchid.