We may be deep into harvest season, but it’s always a great time to talk about living a bright and vibrant life.
To “bloom where you are planted” means to embrace life in a way that helps you flourish. Regardless of your current season in life, you can find peace and joy right where you are.
The quote, “Bloom where you are planted” comes to us from St. Francis de Sales. Popularized in recent years by artist Mary Englebreit, it now adorns everything from wall art to on-trend apparel. The appeal of this quote is unmistakeable; it gives hope to those who feel misplaced in their current lifestyle.
Perhaps you pictured your life going differently. Maybe you’ve experienced a recent life change and you’re feeling uprooted. The truth is, God’s plans are a mystery. They are impossible to understand, and difficult to accept.
Nevertheless, it’s possible to find a glimmer 0f hope in your situation and nourish a happy, burgeoning life from there. Follow these tips to recognize the beauty in your current situation and allow yourself to thrive exactly where you are.
Raise Your Voice in Praise Whenever Possible
Let’s be real. At its core, this is a nice way to say “don’t complain.” Don’t get me wrong; we all need to vent from time to time. The issue is that we tend to get stuck in a loop of negative thinking. To break this cycle, try lifting your heart up in praise.
Sometimes you have to fake it until you make it, but a reluctant prayer is a prayer, nonetheless. You may find that the more you focus on the praiseworthy aspects of your life, the more you will notice and appreciate them. Soon you will find a greater sense of fulfillment. In the end, isn’t that what we all desire most?
One way to pray in gratitude is to offer up a praise rosary. Move through your rosary beads, giving thanks to God on each bead. You might say “thank you” for a cozy home, for a great friendship, or for being debt-free. Pray whatever comes to you. It may be more difficult than you first think, but it will become easier as time goes on.
Gratitude is a skill that requires practice, just like anything else. While not an official rosary prayer, a praise rosary is a great way to meditate on all the good in your life, and find a new appreciation for this difficult season.
Do You—Express Yourself
Single life isn’t easy. It’s important to recognize—and even celebrate—your daily struggles. Find a way to express your thoughts and feelings rather than keeping them tucked away inside.
Spend time searching your heart to discover what’s causing your unrest. Once you’ve figured out what’s nagging at you, let it out. It’s not doing you any good, so there’s no sense in holding onto it.
Find a way to vent your negative energy and you’ll find instant relief from your fears and frustrations. This doesn’t mean you need to keep a journal or film a vlog, unless that’s your thing. Just do what makes you happy.
Sports, dance, art, reading, outdoor adventure—pursue whatever clicks for you. Not only will you have an outlet for all of your anxieties, you will thrive as you experience the things that make you feel most alive.
Shower Others with Your Blessings
Sometimes the best way to cheer yourself up is to bring joy to another. Life can be tough sometimes and at one point or another we all struggle. Recognizing the trials of those around you will help you find solace in your own struggles. When you help alleviate someone else’s troubles, you often find that your own obstacles seem smaller, and your heart feels warmer.
Try volunteering for a parish ministry or taking a mission trip. These experiences will expose you to a new level of hardship and challenge you to keep your own struggles in perspective.
Even more so, try noticing the needs of those closest to you. Start a chat with a coworker and you might discover that their spouse is ill and unable to work. Slipping them a gift card to cover a meal may make their day—and yours as well.
Consider welcoming a new neighbor with a meal at your place. These small gestures of love can truly make the journey navigable for those around you. Even better, they’re a great way to quietly evangelize. And let’s not forget that they make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
God Has Called You to Peace
People often attribute St. Francis de Sales’ quote to scripture. In Corinthians 7:17-40, St. Paul makes it clear that he hasn’t received any official teaching from God on the matter of relationships, but he hopes to offer his opinion as a comfort to Christ’s followers. In short, he says, “Be happy where you are.”
If you’re single, stay single. If you’re married, stay married. If you’re single and you want to get married, do that. In the end, God has called you to peace. So do whatever brings you peace in your heart. God is on your side.
St. Paul goes on to say, “I should like you to be free of anxieties.” Good guy St. Paul! He suggests finding a way to be satisfied with your current situation so that you can turn your focus to God, rather than perpetually chasing after an imaginary ideal life.
Try joining a men’s or women’s group at your parish. The fellowship will help strengthen you for your journey. Similarly, keep in touch with old friends. Chances are, they’ve seen you through many challenges already and are more than willing to be with you through this one.
Lastly, don’t forget to have fun! Focus on what brings you joy and give yourself a break from the dating game from time to time. The desire for companionship is a strong one, but don’t let it eclipse your life and all the good things you have going for you right at this moment.
Sources: Forbes.com, SFDAssociation.org, BibleGateway.com
