Bloom!

     Are you wondering why there are blue hydrangea flowers on our home page? Hydrangeas resonate with us here at Brave Space to Land because these blooms are believed to be a “truth flower.“ They “represent a deep understanding of oneself and others. They have also been used in meditation practices to help individuals connect to their inner truths”.

     Imagine for a moment though, what had to happen for this vibrant plant to grow, bloom, and become the beautiful plant it is. In the beginning, it wasn’t even a plant. It was a vulnerable seed that held hidden potential to become something beautiful. However, it had to be buried in dirt, covered in darkness, and die. Yet, at the same time, it was being nurtured to break open from its old casing, root, grow into a plant, and bloom into something beautiful. The whole vulnerable, growth-changing process was probably painful but oh so well worth it!

     Making vulnerable growth-changing efforts for yourself is the same in all respects. Simply hearing the word “vulnerable” can bring about a plethora of reactions: a sickening stomach, a grimace, a deep sigh, an increase in heart rate, anxiety, or maybe even, tears. Being vulnerable is not easy. Often when we think of being vulnerable, we view it from the lens of being weak to and with another individual. Terrifying, right?! However, no matter what gut reaction may occur, being vulnerable can be done in an extremely positive way and result in a very positive outcome.

     Do you want your life to change? Then change your mindset about being vulnerable. Consider being vulnerable as the process it takes for you to reach the goal of changing you to become the real and authentic YOU! Yes, that process begins with you being completely honest with yourself. Scary? Absolutely! And the first step is always the hardest to take. How do I know? I’ve been through it. Here’s my story.

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     I had come to a point in my life where I deeply needed change and wanted my life to be something different. Yet, at the same time, I was fearful of what it would feel like if I took a step forward toward change. I often imagined standing on a high, flat rock surrounded by breathtaking water that lapped around its base. The rock represented stagnancy. The water…freedom! In my mind, I would take off running and once I got to the rock’s edge, I would jump and freefall into the water below. I loved the way it felt. However, when I tried to practically apply it to my reality, I always felt afraid of “jumping” and the feeling you get when you’re falling and losing control of where you’re going to land. Then one day, as I stood looking out my kitchen window tossing my current situation back and forth in my mind it hit me! I had to separate my feelings from my reality.

     Breakthrough! Feelings are valid, but they often blind us from the truth. I was rejecting the jump and allowing the scary, falling out-of-control feeling to keep me from acknowledging my own truth and desires! I realized I was holding myself back. I had to take the first step to change my mindset and my life.  And I did! That first step was hard, yet liberating. Taking it made every step that followed a tiny bit easier to enter my journey to change my life.

     I didn’t want to continue dealing with the fatigue of holding onto the pain that was planted in me long ago. But I was ready to face the discomfort and ultimate liberation that comes from acknowledging, confronting, and letting go of fear, overthinking, people-pleasing, and not feeling worthy of anything because I had been treated that way.

     It was imperative for me to begin taking time alone, away from distractions, and pour into myself what I needed to begin to spring forth into who I truly was meant to be. Change. The first step was the scariest and hardest. The most beautiful part of becoming me is when I realized I was willing to walk forward into the true me and give up the lies that once confined me.

     I shut out the distractions in my life that would suck me back into that familiar, unhappy, stagnant place, and held tightly to my goal of transitioning into my new journey and enjoying it, sometimes through tears as I move forward. It isn’t always easy. However, giving myself the space to bloom is the most precious gift I could have given myself. I wouldn’t trade it for all the material riches this world could offer me.

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     Being vulnerable with yourself requires you to be honest with who you are, what you feel, and who you want to become. It is acknowledging things within you that you thought felt better when kept hidden. Being truthful with yourself can be emotionally, mentally, and sometimes physically painful. However, if you desire to be better it is necessary. When you decide that you are tired of suppressing the hurt that you know is holding you back, you are ready to die to your old self and start living your true self. The process is not about the people around you, but how you choose to exist with the people around you.

     What are you most fearful of when you think about change and being vulnerable with yourself? Chew on this…is it how you feel OR is it reality? Write it down. Be honest with yourself and separate the two. The true you awaits!

     “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. Life is a process of becoming.” Anais Nin

     Brave Space to Land is designed and purpose-filled to help you bloom and continue to blossom into the true beautiful you, that is You!                               

We’re here for YOU!