“Bloom where you are planted.” One blog on the Internet has this to say about the origins of this phrase.
The Bishop of Geneva, Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622) is credited with the quote, ‘bloom where you are planted’. Later Mary Engelbreit made the phrase popular, and countless Biblical references seem to point to various verses in the Bible that carry a similar notion. The ‘ancient’ times when this phrase emerged undoubtedly reflects the fact that changing your location, where you lived, was not nearly as easy as it is today.”
Bloom Where You Are Planted
This thought returned to me and led me to write a post for our Facebook page that appeared earlier this morning.
In August 2014, it was my pleasure to write a blog post that was published elsewhere on this very topic. This is an update, a revision you might say of that earlier post.
A few weeks into that month back in 2014, there was a discussion on a local television show with a group of brilliant students. They were discussing their admission to secondary level schools. The host asked each student to describe their feelings about the school where they were placed. In Jamaica, we have a system that places students based on their grade at the last, Common Entrance, examinations in primary schools.
There was only one girl on the panel of five. At the time of the airing of the show, she was 12 years old. She excitedly declared that she was very happy and was looking forward to going to High School even though where she was placed was not her first choice. Guess what she went on to say? “I believe that one should bloom where they are planted.”
Your Buds Will Open
This 12-year-old flabbergasted me and I was surprised and very proud of her and her words at such a young age. She caused me to do some reflection on my life.
Have I always bloomed wherever I was planted? In my blooming, am I hurting others as I allow my blossoms to burst forth?
Seeking external motivation, I often listen to the speeches of Martin Luther King, Jnr. They are all favourites but one that resonates with me most is the “Street Sweeper” speech:
Know Your Lane, Run Your Best Race
A lot of my friends are still not very comfortable with their status at this point. They are continuously seeking ways to get themselves out of their present situation. Many are in such a rush, hoping to make a ‘better life’. What challenges me, however, is that they seldom spend enough time to study their lanes and run their best race.
Charlotte Beck said,
“Life always gives us exactly the teacher we need at every moment. This includes every mosquito, every misfortune, every red light, every traffic jam, every obnoxious Supervisor (or employee), every illness, every loss, every moment of joy, or depression, every addiction, every piece of garbage, every breath—–every moment is a Teacher.”
Life also has a way of putting a hold or pause on our journey. You can either sweep well on your job or frustrate yourself by cursing where you are and make plans to escape from the situation. Be warned, however, that if fate dictates that you stay in the ‘holding’ position, the escape plan will be an effort in futility. It is best that you embrace and till the soil, bringing forth plants which bloom until the change comes along.
Your Bloom Looks Different From Mine
Blooms do not always have the same look. A huge sunflower and a small daisy both bloom – different sizes but both bring so much pleasure and joy. Size does not alter the impact.
Sunflower, daisy or dandelion bloom where you are planted! Accept your present circumstances and make the best of the situation. Accept that you cannot control everything and make the best of the situations you are presented with. There are many things in life we cannot change but it will be a much more pleasant experience if you keep a positive attitude.
Actually, many children are at risk for not being able to bloom this coming semester. They will not be able to return to in-classroom sessions, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in countries such as Jamaica. That is why we here at Daughters of Sheba Foundation have launched a Student Data Grant initiative. Will you help us with a small donation?
Visit our Grant campaign page and choose your level of participation. We thank you and are eternally grateful!
Share your blooming story with us in the comments below. Please share our website and our social media profiles – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram – with your friends, their children and your children as they head back to school for another blooming year!
Clara