Tiptoe Through the Tulips Part 1 of 6
No, I don’t mean that’s how your life can always be. It’s simply a part of the experience I hope you don’t miss. But since this is such an important foundation to life, this blog is too long to cover in one post, so it will come in 6 parts. Six truths that are always a part of building our wholeness and can make all the difference in how we experience life.
I absolutely love Spring! First, the temps warm and I can shed my coat; the lawn begins to green, then the trees begin to blossom, then the colorful tulips begin to resurrect. Spring just screams life to me.
Every spring, I literally tiptoe through the tulips at a nearby park. They are very generously planted all over the park. The display is such a blissful experience, very little could keep me from tiptoeing, literally walking slowly and lightly among the tulips every day during the short time their sublime presence graces the earth. The joy-giving colors seem to bring magic to the heart, but they only last for about six weeks and they are gone until next Spring. So, what better time than these next six weeks of spring to cultivate and bring as much life, growth, color, beauty and joy to our life, as possible?
Let’s Spring forward!
No matter where you live, or what you believe, or how you celebrated this last Easter, it is considered the holiest weekend of the year. It always feels so divinely awe-inspiring to me to think of how everything around us coming to life correlates with the observance of resurrection power.
What more perfect time of year to consider all the ways your life can bloom in full color just like the tulips. Your life can grow and open its’ petals and like the flowers and plants adorn the earth. However, unlike the flowers, we can be in constant bloom, growing, the old falling away, new blooms, new colors coming forth throughout the year.
What has lain dormant in your life for way too long?
As I look at the landscape of my backyard this Spring, it is very different than last summer. Early last Spring, it became obvious that one of my beloved trees was not going to come to life again, it had to be pronounced dead and its limbs removed. I don’t know what kind of tree it was, but its twisty shape was very unique, so what’s left is still beautiful to look at and I decided I would somehow incorporate it into making the corner where it stands full of life and color once again, instead of leaving the view and situation dormant.
As the result of an ice storm, another large tree that stands in the middle of the yard lost many of its limbs and I’m still not quite sure whether it will survive. Some of the plants and perennials are a little questionable as to whether they will be part of Spring magic.
But I know this; no matter the present landscape, whatever is there, has the possibilities of providing the deliciousness of life once again. There will need to be some change, some care and effort, planting of new, but the magic is there for me to nurture, enjoy and partake of. I don’t like yard work, but I love the tippy-toe-inspiring beauty of spring and its explosion of colors, smells and sounds.
Are you ready to bring to life, in rhythm with Spring, the tulips lying dormant under the surface of your heart? What is sadder than a dead dormant yard in the spring? A dormant life.
I was asked the other day, “What are the things that really make the difference between an exhausted, stressed life and a vibrant, healthy life? What is it that gets a life living forward in a whole and fulfilled way?” People that know my story know that I have every reason to lay dormant, but if I can tiptoe through the tulips, why wouldn’t I choose that instead? No, it’s not easy, sometimes, just like a garden, it takes blood, sweat and lots of watering. As I said, gardening is not my favorite thing. I’d rather sit and look at the beauty than do the work, so this concept is a good one for me. Sometimes, springing into life is as much work as springing a garden to life.
So, as I pondered the question, the cream that rose to the top were six unavoidable truths. Here is the first of six that keep my life blooming. Yes, there are winds, rain and storms that threaten, but what’s healthy and nurtured will continue to bloom.
PLENTY OF REST
When I speak of rest, I don’t just mean sleep. Rest is a way of life as much as it is resting our bodies. It’s taking some deep breaths when I feel any kind of stress, so much more important and effective than we know. It’s taking a few moments to tiptoe through the tulips with no other thoughts or distractions dimming the moment’s grace. It’s taking advantage of an opportunity to experience the perfumed splendor that is only there for a short time. Trying to enjoy the beauty amidst distraction is like trying to watch a gorgeous sunset through a dirty, cracked window, it’s like trying to smell home cooked food over the stench of kitty litter or such.
Rest is the act of clearing all distractions of the moment and breathing in the assurance that all is well. We weren’t meant to go full speed until we’re ready to go to sleep. In addition to getting plenty of rest at night, our bodies need at least short moments of rest throughout the day. Please don’t buy the lie that if you spend one more hour “accomplishing” instead of resting that you are being more productive. Many studies show that we are much more productive and of much better quality when we are rested.
Most importantly, how we start our day is hugely important to how our life, mind and body experience rest. How you start your day is how your day will be. It’s really true! There have been studies of people who jump out of bed running, and those that take at least ten minutes to be quiet. The ones who start their day with at least ten minutes of stillness showed less signs of stress in their body, and had a much brighter perspective as they walk through their day. It doesn’t matter whether you pray, read something comforting, or just listen to your breath, it’s just about being quiet, not thinking about anything – anything.
What is it that makes your body come alive, your heart sing? That is rest, and that is also who you are. When you are at rest, you are conscious of everything that allows your body and soul to be alive and aware. And without rest, you miss you – you miss life.
That’s the truth of our best life!
I hope you’re anxious to read about the second important key to a whole and thriving life – special delivery to you next Monday.
Maybe you’re thinking, yes, I want to Spring forward and really learn how to live this way. Well, in addition to spending the next six weeks tiptoeing through the tulips with each weeks’ new blooming factor, you have decided it’s time for you to live in more grace and peace. Maybe you’re ready to work with me, and if that’s the case, I can’t wait to talk with you, and it’s as simple as scheduling a free call. What a summer, what a life you’re going to have!
A Spring in my step,
Ruthie
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