Bloom where you’re planted. Such a popular phrase.
But I don’t think that phrase is necessarily the best phrase or motto for us to live our lives by.
We went to Curacou on a vacation. Our guide took us to the local distillery where they made a famous drink - the “Blue Curacou.” Even though we told him we didn’t drink, we were curious to learn about the property and history.
Our guide came upon a couple orange trees, which the drink is based on. He showed us how the oranges were fully ripe and ready - yet completely green. He shared with us how they were transplanted to Curacou but because it was a different environment - they never turned orange. And in fact, he pointed out how the trees also had grown thorns on them in response to the different environment.
They just didn’t taste the same. They didn’t grow the same. They didn’t look the same.
And this is where I come back to “bloom where you’re planted.”
Those oranges were trying to grown and bloom. But they weren’t in the right environment. They weren’t where they could fully flourish.
And that’s why I don’t necessarily like that phrase.
Yes, I believe sometimes we need to make the best of our situations. We need to be the best we can in the environment we are placed in. But I also believe that we may not be all that we are intended to be in situations and circumstances we weren’t mean to be in.
It’s kind of like the saying “when things are uncomfortable, that’s when you grow.” And I’m like…”Who says?” Growth is a choice. In comfort or when uncomforted.
So sometimes, we DO need to look at where we are. We DO need to look at making a change. We DO need to get rid of stressors, we need to put in place some boundaries, slow down, make changes, or move.
Because we are not in the right environment where we can bloom.
We don’t always have a choice where we’re planted. When that happens we may become different than we were normally meant to be. But good things can still come out of those times.
When we can try to align our home base to an environment that calms us, brings us joy, and is conducive to the way we live and breathe? That’s when we can really flourish.
“The joy of the Lord is our strength.” Joy does come by choice - and it also comes with wisdom and discernment in knowing where to be.
