Bloom Where You are Planted
“Home is not where you live, but where they understand you.” Christian Morgenstern, German poet
Sometimes we live where we do not feel at home. It’s said that anywhere is a prison when you don’t want to be there.
Let’s say you’ve rented an apartment and find the neighbors are less than desirable. And you have a year’s lease. How can you bloom where you are planted if the soil is filled with rocks? Still, any time spent being miserable is a waste of your life. So, as my friend Catie says, “Time for home grown changes.”
David, a well educated engineer, tolerant, pleasant, home from a stint in the Middle East rented an apartment sight unseen. Well, he did see a photo and talked to its manager. David asked the right questions; he got less than honest answers. When he arrived, he was yards from a slum. His immediate apartment neighbors were unfriendly folks who lived on gossip and slander. David couldn’t just pack up and move again. Did I mention David is a smart cookie?
This is what he did. He decided the apartment was small but he liked it so he bought a cheap ($5.00) colorful and cheerful auction rug. He squeezed in all the furniture he wanted to keep from another home. Then he concentrated on doing things away from the apartment he liked to do: at home, he worked on a cabinet he was making; he made one friend in the apartment complex. He was friendly but not necessarily friends with those who didn’t have anything in common with him.
So – what do you like about your home? What would you change if you could? Can you do it on your budget? If not, can you “Goodwill” it for now? Lots of folks find treasures on sidewalks and haul them home for fun. Paint makes anything look better. How about painting something sunshine yellow or red? What’s your favorite color?
Our lives are not limited to four walls. How about a chair outdoors – on a balcony, in the back yard, or on a porch where you can read, rest or watch the world go by? Is there anything you’ve always wanted to learn? Now’s a good time. Grow: a plant, a fish, a cat, whatever. We can do well with one good friend. Life is work, home, play. Do some of each and you will bloom – wherever you are planted.
Meditation for the Day
Nothing is forever so everything can be pleasant when we decide we want it to be.
Action for the Day
If where I am now seems barren, I’ll feed the soil to make it better. I can bloom wherever I am planted . . . if I choose to do that.
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