The Magic of Weeds

This is not an education blog, however, I may refer to some of the symbolic moments I’ve had along the way.  In my 20 years in education, I’ve received various tokens of appreciation that I absolutely adored… (wait, did I just type the number 20? Oh my!!); but the most memorable ones were gifts money couldn’t buy, like a handful of carefully plucked dandelions!

Yes, the golden colored petals that overtake many a yard in the Spring time, also double as one of the most beautiful treasures in world, especially when they come from the overexcited hands of a 1st grader, who simply wants to say, “I love you.” Those are moments you never forget; they are moments that fill your heart and feed your spirit.

Let’s not forget what happens when those yellow petals fall off, leaving behind a white puffy cloud on a stem that we can CHOOSE to see as a weed, or a sign of hope. As a child, I remember picking  these white puffs from the ground, making a wish, and then gently blowing the little cloud on a stem up to the heavens knowing that my wish would come true.  What I saw as a vessel for wishes as a child, we as adults see as a weed.

Not so long ago, I was playing in my yard with my spoiled, yet sweet Yorkie named Baby (there’s a Dirty Dancing reason for her name, but we won’t dwell there..this time), and in the middle of my yard was ONE dandelion puff.  Shocked to see it, I chose to pluck the lone cloud on a stem, and make a wish instead of simply seeing it as a weed and discarding an opportunity.

Why am I talking about a weed? Well, I’m talking about this particular weed because it carries with it tremendous lessons about perception and mindset.  There are many things we can find beauty in if we just take the time to see them with fresh eyes.

I can admit that from time to time, I chose to see weeds in situations where I could’ve easily seen petals of promise.  We are all probably guilty of this which is why we sometimes need to flip a switch and modify some of that stinkin’ thinkin’.

This one weed carries so many lessons, but these are my takeaways:

1. Perception: perception is reality; how you perceive something is how you will receive it: weed or hope, the choice is yours.  You can choose to see the positive or dwell on the negative.  What you dwell on will determine what you dwell in…think about it.

2. Positioning & Purpose:  sometimes the reality of our purpose cannot be revealed because we can’t thrive in the environment that surrounds us, yet we hesitate to move.  When that weed was removed from the yard and placed in the hands of a child, it’s entire purpose changed simply because it was repositioned; it no longer brought aggravation, it brought happiness.  If we have the courage to remove ourselves from toxic environments and allow ourselves to be planted on more fertile ground, we avail ourselves to the opportunity to be who/what we were put here to be all along.

3. Resilience:  when a weed is destroyed the first go round, those suckers multiply when they regenerate, and before you know it, you come back home and you have a field of golden clouds.  Now, that is no good for your yard, but it’s a lesson for the masses.  You will encounter trouble, you will encounter challenges, you will get knocked down and cut down, but when you get up, rise with multiplied strength and increased intention and conquer the hurdle that temporarily immobilized you.  A fall only remains a fall if you choose not to get back up. HMMMMM…….

Please do not allow weeds to overtake the vegetation in your gardens, or the beauty of your yard, but do look at the proverbial weeds in your life and shift your perspective in such a way that you make them work to your advantage, not your detriment.

Find hope in the mundane and purpose in the placement.  Who knew that weeds could be so magical!!!!

PS…There’s hope on the other side of doubt, choose the right side!

Song References:  India Arie-There’s Hope   India Arie-I Choose

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