Four Life Lessons From Flower Picking

In June, my hospital team went on a little getaway to the lovely McLawland Farms for some bonding and R&R. I had no idea that picking flowers in nature could teach us so much. It totally exceeded my expectations and gave me some great reminders that I’m excited to share. Below are my takeaways:

Take Time to Slow Down and Breathe

“You have only one hour to gather a jar of flowers!” As these words echoed through the air, a sense of purpose enveloped a few of us as if we were embarking on an extraordinary quest – to find and collect as many flowers as humanly possible within the allotted time! The thought of lagging behind in the fields stirred a sense of urgency within me. I didn’t want to be the last one. What initially seemed like a straightforward task quickly transformed into a labyrinth of choices as I wove my way through the aisles. I was compelled to scour every corner of the farm to ensure that not a single “perfect” blossom eluded me. The pressure to move swiftly and cover ground intensified, until a gentle reminder nudged me to pause, breathe, and embrace the moment. This wasn’t just a task; it was an opportunity. With this realization, I chose to slow my pace and soak in the sunlight, listening to the chirping of the birds around me and the rustle of leaves in the breeze. I could float from bloom to bloom like a bumblebee, and still have plenty of time to gather all that flowers that I needed. After a series of purposeful breaths, I entered a state of serene focus – the realm of the present moment, where I felt fully alive and at peace.

Taking the Shortest Path Isn’t Always the Easiest Nor Does It Have the Best Rewards

The design of the farm intentionally guided you to meander through different aisles. One co-worker and I both noted that we kept wanting to step over the fencing to go directly to a beautiful flower on the other side. But if we would have done that, we would have missed the smaller delicate flowers along the way. In other areas, the shortest path through the tall field grass would not only be difficult to muck through but could lead to insect bites (picture the searing pain of multiple stinging fire ant bites covering your legs) and the death of the plants or creatures that our giant feet may crush along the way. Whether it was a gate or tall field grass, we learned that those barriers were both protecting us and helping us to slow down to notice the details we may have missed on our rush to get to the “prize flower”. This served as just another reminder to bring our minds back to the here and now instead of always focusing on the future goal or acquiring the thing that is lacking in our lives.

Pay Attention to the Web of Interconnectedness

When we take time to be aware of our surroundings, we begin to see the cords that connect all living beings. Walking through the fields, we could easily see the interdependency between the plants, insects, and birds. One of my colleagues remarked about how each bird or insect was similar in the colors or patterns to the plants that it hovered around. Each creature knew instinctively where to go to get what it needed. And in fact, it all blended together, looking as though it belonged in that place. Even as the farmers watered the plants and mulched the soil, the natural world knew we were here to nourish it as well as be nourished by it. And this interconnectedness extended to each other as well. My team shared reflections on each of our strengths and how we motivate and inspire each other. By operating from this place of belonging and appreciation, we are then able to bring that same sense of belonging and peace to the patients that we work with each day. It’s that “We are all in this together” feeling.

Transitions are Surprisingly Beautiful at Each Stage of the Process

As I mentioned earlier, I began by thinking I had a mission to find as many perfect flowers as possible. But as I went along, I felt drawn to flowers that had some holes in the petals or that hadn’t bloomed fully. Even the dying flowers attracted me with their deepening colors. A colleague remarked that she was drawn to those flowers as well and she wondered if it was because she was in retirement and the last quarter of her lifespan. I, too, feel as though I am in a transitional stage, but then again, who doesn’t? Aren’t we all transitioning in some way? If we weren’t, how would we grow or even be alive? Some transitions we dread and have negative connotations about simply because we fear what is on the other side and we grieve what we are losing. But what if we could enjoy that in-between state, that state of learning more about ourselves and others? Maybe we could learn to see the beauty of our own deepening colors and the buds we had yet to see bloom. No matter the current state of our lives, there is beauty to be found in it.

All of these lessons boil down to being in the present moment and seeing the beauty inherent in that instead of trying to rush ahead. When we allow ourselves to slow down or take the longer route, we become more aware of the world around us and can acknowledge our interconnectedness and our own place in the world.

About the Author: Julie Glaser is a healer who creates sacred spaces for others to share, release, and grow. She’s in the habit of being in awe and wonder and writes to share her own experiences with other inquisitive souls in the process of transforming.