Be a Wildfire
-By Linda Padgett
Wildflowers are not weeds. They are a sprinkling of God’s pleasure. He has liberally sowed their seeds in the most random places so we could get a glimpse of his love at every turn.
Wildflowers are small and simple; however, these humble flowers have three great qualities that make them my favorite.
Wildflowers grow in the most difficult of places. They don’t require perfect conditions to bloom. Unlike roses, the PH balance of the soil is not regarded. They don’t need pruned or pampered. Water, sunlight, and the other factors that can effect the more sensitive species play a very little part in the health and beauty of a wildflower. In fact, you can even find these stubborn pedals growing out of sidewalks, ditches, or even cracks in rocks. Being that I am a very mediocre gardener, I love their low maintenance needs and their ability to overcome imperfect treatment.
The other quality I love about wildflowers is the duration of their bloom. Again, unlike roses or tulips that bloom for such a short period of time, wildflowers bloom for weeks. I get to enjoy the palette of various colors for a long time. Furthermore, my mediocre skills don’t hinder this quality. Once the work is done, I get to soak in their beauty.
The final quality that I admire is the way they spread. It requires no extra effort on my part for wildflowers to increase in number—no extra planting, no dividing—simple. Once the seeds are sown or the plants planted, they will add to their number by themselves. I can put my effort into other things yet enjoy the increase of beauty that carpets my space. I need that. I need things in my life that take care of themselves. I guess that’s why wildflowers are my favorite.
Now, how in the world does this apply to you?
Simple. These great qualities of the wildflower can be applied to your life, right now. Whether you are trying to get healthy, begin a new adventure, change jobs, grow spiritually, or try something new, BE A WILDFLOWER.
1. Stop fussing over perfection. There is no such thing. If you wait for that perfect condition or circumstance, it will never happen. Whatever new adventure or undertaking that you have in sight, just go for it. As you figure out ways to overcome the imperfect aspects, you will grow stronger, smarter, and more skilled. Be flexible. If one way doesn’t work, try another. You have complete freedom to fail and start over. It’s the stopping that marks the end.
2. Persevere. Commit to endurance. Be stubborn. So many people’s success burns hot and fast and then fads just a quickly; however, we only see the fast success. Therefore, don’t judge your slow progress against someone else’s fast burn. Slow and steady wins the race. Keep your steps forward simple and attainable. If you set unrealistic goals, you will become discouraged when they don’t happen. Judge carefully what you consider to be good markers of success.
3. Be contagious. Inspire others. I have been guilty of not doing this myself. Even when I have experience success or inspiration in an area of my life, I become apprehensive to share it with others for fear of being seen as proud or boastful. Yet, when my enthusiasm is communicated with humility and genuine gratefulness, not only have others benefited from my insights, I have also grown. Inspiring others continues to keep your light of inspiration ablaze and can encourage you to press on to greater things.
Nature has been given to us to speak of God’s goodness and confirm the truth in our hearts. Look to these simple, yet beautiful flowers, and gain the inspiration to step forward into new areas. Be flexible. Be stubborn. Be contagious.
Wildflowers are small and simple; however, these humble flowers have three great qualities that make them my favorite.
Wildflowers grow in the most difficult of places. They don’t require perfect conditions to bloom. Unlike roses, the PH balance of the soil is not regarded. They don’t need pruned or pampered. Water, sunlight, and the other factors that can effect the more sensitive species play a very little part in the health and beauty of a wildflower. In fact, you can even find these stubborn pedals growing out of sidewalks, ditches, or even cracks in rocks. Being that I am a very mediocre gardener, I love their low maintenance needs and their ability to overcome imperfect treatment.
The other quality I love about wildflowers is the duration of their bloom. Again, unlike roses or tulips that bloom for such a short period of time, wildflowers bloom for weeks. I get to enjoy the palette of various colors for a long time. Furthermore, my mediocre skills don’t hinder this quality. Once the work is done, I get to soak in their beauty.
The final quality that I admire is the way they spread. It requires no extra effort on my part for wildflowers to increase in number—no extra planting, no dividing—simple. Once the seeds are sown or the plants planted, they will add to their number by themselves. I can put my effort into other things yet enjoy the increase of beauty that carpets my space. I need that. I need things in my life that take care of themselves. I guess that’s why wildflowers are my favorite.
Now, how in the world does this apply to you?
Simple. These great qualities of the wildflower can be applied to your life, right now. Whether you are trying to get healthy, begin a new adventure, change jobs, grow spiritually, or try something new, BE A WILDFLOWER.
1. Stop fussing over perfection. There is no such thing. If you wait for that perfect condition or circumstance, it will never happen. Whatever new adventure or undertaking that you have in sight, just go for it. As you figure out ways to overcome the imperfect aspects, you will grow stronger, smarter, and more skilled. Be flexible. If one way doesn’t work, try another. You have complete freedom to fail and start over. It’s the stopping that marks the end.
2. Persevere. Commit to endurance. Be stubborn. So many people’s success burns hot and fast and then fads just a quickly; however, we only see the fast success. Therefore, don’t judge your slow progress against someone else’s fast burn. Slow and steady wins the race. Keep your steps forward simple and attainable. If you set unrealistic goals, you will become discouraged when they don’t happen. Judge carefully what you consider to be good markers of success.
3. Be contagious. Inspire others. I have been guilty of not doing this myself. Even when I have experience success or inspiration in an area of my life, I become apprehensive to share it with others for fear of being seen as proud or boastful. Yet, when my enthusiasm is communicated with humility and genuine gratefulness, not only have others benefited from my insights, I have also grown. Inspiring others continues to keep your light of inspiration ablaze and can encourage you to press on to greater things.
Nature has been given to us to speak of God’s goodness and confirm the truth in our hearts. Look to these simple, yet beautiful flowers, and gain the inspiration to step forward into new areas. Be flexible. Be stubborn. Be contagious.
About Linda
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