How to bloom where you are planted + an intuitive painting demo

As motivational quotes go, bloom where you are planted is one of the most ubiquitous phrases. But what does it mean? And more importantly, how does one know that they have it in them to bloom where they are planted?

The phrase stems from the natural world, where you can find plants, flowers, and trees blooming wild and free, often times in areas where you would least expect them. Like the Ginko trees in Hiroshima, Japan, which survived the nuclear blasts. Or the deodar trees that grow at the Tarkeshwar Mahadev temple near Lancedown, but are not found anywhere else in the area, because they actually grow at higher altitudes.

What this seems to symbolize is that with the right attitude and resilience of spirit, we can find within us the  strength to survive almost any adversity.

But when we are struggling, it can be difficult to believe that we have what it takes to bloom despite the odds. I should know, I’ve been here often. Thinking that I couldn’t move past a particular adversity, or that rising up from a situation required much more resilience than I thought I had.

Intuitive painting demo: Trust that you will bloom where you are planted

Which is one of the reasons why this particular art journal page surprised me with its message. I was initially pretty unhappy when this little plant fell out of my pencil. But I know that intuitive paintings have a way of changing as you go, so I decided to just go with my impulses. Little did I know that this was it – this plant with its pink and orange blooms, some doodles, and then the thought that kept arising as I was doodling and simultaneously hating what I was doing: Trust that you will bloom where you are planted.

And so I wrote that down on the stem of the plant, and walked away  from the painty table in a huff. I did not like this page. At all.

Trusting that you will bloom where you are planted

But when I looked at it again the next day, the simplicity and sweetness of this page spoke to me at a much deeper level.

We often think that resilience and endurance are difficult, that they require super human effort and toil and drudgery. Often times we are so convinced that where we have been planted is simply wrong and that there is no way we could possibly survive there, much less bloom. But we can. I know this to be true because I have found myself in many such situations, and I have always managed to bloom. Even if the bloom is less than perfect or pretty.

The process of trusting is one of surrender – of knowing that we are never given more adversity than we can handle. That if we put our minds to it, we can overcome. And there are things we can do to move into this state of surrender, of acceptance, and of blooming.

How can you bloom where you are planted?

Here are a few tips and tools that will help you to move into a more constructive frame of mind and overcome adversities.

Keep a gratitude journal: Yes, I know. Gratitude is a cliche. It is a fad. People don’t understand it. But there is no denying the power of a regular gratitude practice. Initially it can feel silly. But finding five things to be grateful for everyday, and doing this consistently over a period of time, brings subtle shifts in our attitude and in the way we react to adversity. Give it a solid try before ditching it.

Move your body: Emotions are energy, and energy can remain stuck and create blocks, which can lead to a feeling of heaviness and lethargy. As difficult as it can be at such times to gather the will to move, just try to make the effort. Put on some peppy music and dance, jump, or even scream or cry if you need to. It will move that energy, guaranteed.

Get out in nature: Nature heals, and that is a fact. Even something as simple as watching the sunrise or sunset outside your window can connect you to the timelessness and permanence of nature. It is soothing, this knowledge. In this vast, never-ending cosmos, even if humans die out tomorrow, the sun will still rise and set. It has a way of putting our problems into context, doesn’t it?

Journal: Yes, another oldie but goldie. There are many ways to journal – be it via morning pages, a check-in with your feelings, or using prompts {I share some prompts on each new and full moon, which you can find here}.

Re-frame the story: Instead of feeding the negative loops that run through our heads, re-framing our stories can have a powerful impact on how we view our life and the difficult situations we will inevitably encounter.

Make time for your hobbies: Our hobbies, the things that interest us, that put us into flow state, have a way of grounding us and pulling us out of the negative loop that we can find ourselves in from time to time. After some time at the painty table, for instance, I can often view my problems from a much more constructive place than the doom and gloom scenarios I envisioned before I allowed myself to play.

These are just a few of the tips that help me to move from adversity and into growth. Do you have any tools or tips that help you to bloom where you are planted? Do share with me in the comments!

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