Dear You…. I don’t think a name is needed as words have a better way of painting a masterpiece at times. So allow me to paint this and I hope you can see it as vividly as your mind can create. I have spent the past 13 days sharing flowers from my garden to a few individuals who have been impactful in my life. Nobody knew it was coming… almost like a floral delivery from out of the blue. You receive the flowers and your mind quickly races. Your heart starts beating a little bit faster and you hold back a little smile as you start your detective work to figure out who they are from. If you’re lucky there is a card attached… other times there are tiny little context clues from chats here and there that have you asking around. It’s less about the flowers themselves and more about the person who sent them. It’s about knowing that they were thinking about you because they care and appreciate you. So it’s your turn to receive these flowers… because I know you deserve them.
You are the quiet type in the public eye but behind the scenes the amount of work you put into everything is beyond impressive. You don’t care for actual fresh cut flowers much because of allergies… but flowers and plants are interconnected. You remind me so much of the bamboo tree. According to legend, the Chinese bamboo tree takes five years to grow. During the first four years, it barely grows at all, staying underground and seemingly doing nothing. It is only in the fifth year that the bamboo tree suddenly shoots up, growing as much as 80 feet in just six weeks. You weren’t hiding after all when you look at it this way. I was wrong with my assumptions of why you moved the way that you do. I know now that you were simply growing your roots to create a strong foundation so when it was your time to break through, you’d be unstoppable.
You and I built a bond rooted in trust and loyalty. And as often as those words are tossed around when you dig deep the true meaning is powerful. Loyalty implies a faithfulness that is steadfast in the face of any temptation to renounce, desert, or betray. The bamboo tree really tests one’s trust and loyalty. It’s easy to give up when you don’t see any major changes in year 3 or 4 both good or bad. But having that tiny mustard seed of faith is all that is needed because come year 5… you see the magnificent sight spring forth. Knowing finally that all of the unseen hard work has come into fruition.
There are many beliefs and parables about the Chinese bamboo tree. The main takeaway for me is the one that teaches us lessons about patience, faith, perseverance, growth and development and importantly… human potential. Like any flower or plant, to flourish the Chinese bamboo tree requires nurturing – water, fertile soil and sunshine. I know at times the rains came flooding in…. in the form of tears and hurt. Misunderstanding and tough conversations that stretched us in ways we couldn’t fully comprehend. But with all dualities (yin and yang) in this experience we call life… the sunshine would always show back up. The amazing days would be full of deep belly laughs, talks about space and time, technology and new interesting discoveries. And you already had the nutrient rich soil because you built it over time. From an additional set of pillows, lighting, artwork, chairs, candles and more, Home is the soil where the unconditional love resides. Home is where the heart is. Be it here or there… you carry ‘home’ with you in your heart and it makes anywhere you go feel of comfort and peace. So the bamboo needs all three… the water, soil and the sunshine.
2023 a major shift happened. It’s like the opposing forces of chaos and uncertainty came in to dig up the soil and scatter the roots. But they didn’t know that the bamboo was still growing underground and more time was needed. Nothing was the same but in all of that mayhem, I learned so much about myself and about love. I learned that loving myself fully and speaking my truths is at the core of who I am. I learned that other people’s hurtful words and actions are a perspective of their viewpoints and how they see the world around them. I learned that my strategic optimism has opened up so many doors for me financially and in my personal life. I learned to let go and stop holding on so tight to people and things I can not control. And most importantly, I learned that the light I carry within is not for everyone. And that I need to protect at all costs so others can’t dim it.
So I want to say THANK YOU. Thank you for being the one who showed me what love after heartbreak could feel like. Thank you for the adventures and trying new things outside of your comfort zone and letting fear know there was no place for it in the equation. Thank you for believing in me and supporting my business dreams and aspirations. Thank you for sharing your heartbeat with me. The one that is changing and growing stronger daily and the one that is no longer here. Thank you for giving yourself the keys to the driver seat. For putting yourself first and taking care of your needs. Watch out Lewis Hamilton… there is a new driver in town. You deserve to call the shots and lead your life down the roads of your choice. Guilt free and full of overwhelming happiness that only you have the API keys to harness.
So on this Valentine’s Day I wish you nothing but love. I know it’s a Wednesday and a work day, but it’s important to take a moment just to quietly sit and feel the the air enter and exit your lungs. And in that zen silence remind yourself how short the time we have really is… and to make each moment count.
I look forward to see you break through from the distance. Everything happens in its own time… I know it’s coming and you just have to trust and believe. You’ll shoot up 80 feet or taller just like the Chinese bamboo tree. And it will be beautiful, full of strength and of course a vibrant shade of green. Just like my favorite color! I’ll be cheering you on even if you can’t hear me but I’m sure you’ll be able to feel it. I believe in you… and you deserve all the flowers in the world. You got this.
Your Flowers…. XOXO
