Which way do you focus?

I recently went out to Karawatha Forest for a walk and to get back to nature and rejuvenate the inner batteries in the Australian bush. It was a chance to get away from suburbia with my beloved husband, connect and unwind. We were wandering along, taking random paths that we figured would eventually take us back to the car park. We had no set plan and were just enjoy the surrounds and each other's company.

I love how I can always learn something from situations that on the surface seem to hold no importance at all. The lesson that came to mind was when we found ourselves on the edge of the Forest walking along a path with the Gateway Motorway nearby. For readers, not familiar with Brisbane, the Gateway is one of the major six to eight lane motorways that cross the city. I found that I was becoming irritated by the disturbance to the peace and serenity I had been enjoying in the bush. I began to question why I was letting it bother me.

As we continued to walk along the path, the noise of everyday life on one side and the beauty and peace of nature on the other, I realised that I had the choice on what I could focus on. So I gave all my attention to the Forest. I began to notice all the subtleties that I had been taking for granted earlier in our walk. The textures and colours, all the small wildlife as well as some larger ones (like the family of gorgeous Tawny Frog mouths). All of this would of been missed if I had chosen to focus on what I did not want - namely the distractions from others.

It was along this same path I stumbled on a loose, plain looking stone. At least it first appeared to be plain looking. Yet after I stumbled and had disturbed it, I was able to see that it had been damaged. And inside of this dull greyish-brown rock, was a colourful, glittery heart that sparkled in the sunlight and was an object of extreme beauty.

Here was another lesson from nature, to teach that we often need to look inside of others, into their hearts to see their beauty. Much like one of my favourite movies Shallow Hal with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jack Black. Imagine how different our world could be if we choose to only see the beauty in others.

As it turned out, the path we were following was a dead end and we had to turn around and retrace our steps. Which is as it is in life at times. Some of the best lessons are found on roads that need to be traveled more than once before our learning is complete. Or on roads that appear to lead nowhere, but have to be traveled so that the lesson appears in a form that we can recognise.

I ask you, what lessons have you found on today's journey? Maybe you need to change what you are focusing on, or just look a little deeper to find the beauty of the lesson.

Which way do you focus?

Spring - Lessons from a Small Flower

Image by Bronwen Hall

Spring has Sprung

Here in Australia it is spring time and the weather is warming, the birds are swooping and all the flowers are coming out in colour. Spring is a sign for new life and renewal. Spring is when nature frees her internal energy that has been hibernating for winter in the form of blooms, blossoms and babies. In Spring the death rate drops as people see the signs of rebirth and new life around them.

Outside our office window is a small garden and path. Over the last few days, I have watched a small flower break through the earth. The garden is also full of new blossoms, yet one small flower has fought the obstacles in its way, and burst into the world with a blaze of colour, facing the risk of being trampled on by careless individuals away from the masses.

What an inspiration this small bloom is to the world as it pushes past life's roadblocks with innate wisdom, courage and determination on its way to fulfill its purpose.

Think for a moment. Imagine you are the flower seed. You are paved over and buried in the cold and the dark. Is there hope? What are your chances of survival let alone thriving? Which way is up? What do you do when you hit those inevitable obstacles? Well as a seed, you do not worry about such things. It start taking the necessary steps to move towards the light and working around and through those obstacles. Does it quit? Do it give up? NO! Because that means it will die.

So, be like this little flower and live with determination, so you too can spring forth and realise your purpose in all the beauty that nature intended.

Let us remember the message of spring and release the seed of life that each of us holds inside.

Under the bitter snow is a seed which in the spring will become a rose

Every oak tree started out as a nut who stood their ground - Henry David Thoreau

Spring - Lessons from a Small Flower