This rose didn’t have a chance to bloom before the first snow of the year. It may still have a chance. I live in southern Ontario where winter tends to have a few false starts but even if it warms up over the next few days this likely all the growth this bloom will see.
There are three ways to look at this flower:
- Isn’t it a shame it was such a late bloomer that it didn’t reach its full potential?
- Change its circumstances. Cut it off and bring it into the warm house in the hope that it will still bloom.
- Appreciate the stage it is at and recognize its beauty.
The world we live in is full of “supposed to’s”
You are supposed to learn to walk and talk; to go to school and earn good grades; to go university or college or find a “real” job; to buy a house; to have a family; to advance in a “respectable” career; to retire and finally get to relax.
All of these “supposed to’s” come with a timeline placed on you by the culture you live in and yet so many people struggle to fit into these social norms and instead of questioning the structure of our society, we question the value of ourselves. We believe the world when it tells us we are not living up to our potential but what if it is the world around us that it is not living up to its potential?
What if we recognized the gifts and skills in people and helped them to change their circumstance so they could reach their full potential? Like the rose being brought in from the cold, a little bit of attention and support can make a huge difference in a person’s life.
And if a person has all the care and support that we can offer, and they are still not blossoming perhaps it is our expectations that need to change. We are blessed with different gifts and skills, but they do not always fit in our production driven world. Next time you meet someone who does not seem to be living up to their potential instead of trying to drag them forward try meeting them where they are at and listen for the wisdom and learning they can share with you.
And if the world is making you feel like you are not reaching your potential take the time to pause and assess whether you feel like you are on the right path. If you are happy with where you are don’t let the world around you take that away.