Dandelions are unique as they are
both a weed and flower. For as long
as I can remember, I have always had
a gravitational admiration towards
plants.
Human life is similar to the life cycle
of a dandelion. You may ask, how so?
Well, first off, we both are matriculated
into numerous seasons year-round. These
seasons enable us to grow, wilt or bloom.
In extreme cases, perish.
If humanity took a second to acknowledge
nature for just a second more, many would
greatly from it. Nature deserves more attention
than what it is given. For it is not discreet
nor deceitful. However, one must be dedicated
to studying it. The plant life is saturated with
imagery and life long lessons.
Many unfortunately neglect its existence.
Everyone is far too busy, tirelessly attempting
to outrun the clock. We work mindlessly our
entire lives, convinced it is more important than
life itself. This is where we are wrong.
Nature needs to be studied because it
contains life lessons. For instance, the
life cycle of a dandelion. There are five
stages of a dandelion's life; germination,
budding, flowering, seeding and lastly,
seed dispersal.
Germination begins when a dandelion
takes root. In this stage it begins to grow.
Much like human life, a baby is formed,
born and begins to grow too.
Budding, the dandelion stem grows
and flourishes. Buds and leaves begin
to appear. This can be seen in a human
life as a child begins to develop and grow.
Their personality, characteristics and
looks are established.
Flowering, yellow petals begin to
grow on the dandelion. This is also
the stage when insects pollinate.
(Fun fact, if bees did not pollinate
it would shorten their life span. It would
also harm natural nutrition for humanity).
In an individual's life, this is much like
the 'happier' and brighter times of their
life. During these seasons, all is well.
Seeding, the dandelion's beautiful yellow
petals begin to fade. Then fluffy white seeds
appear, replacing the yellow petals. This
symbolizes the hard times. Difficult lessons
are learned and change takes place. A
few examples are; a move, starting a new
school, buying your first home, to even
realizing you need to remove that toxic
person out of your life. This is the season
that incorporates the process of elimination.
Though this time is jaded, tiny seeds
still remain deeply within.
The last stage, seed dispersal. This is when
the dandelion's are pulled and picked off
by the wind. The tiny seeds are relocated to
greener pastures. This leaves the flower, flowerless.
Even though the stem will die, the seeds' legacy
does not. Much like a human life, our body will
decay and be left behind, but our name and
legacy will remain. For this is the stage I see the
most resemblance when comparing a human life.
For every person, this stage feels as if it is about
to kill us. For some it does. Much like how a
dandelion wilts, so do people. These are the
seasons of trial and tribulation. This can be a heart
break, loss of a loved one, betrayal of a close friend,
abuse, addiction, fighting an illness, let go from a
occupation, losing a home, watching a loved
one suffer, etc. All of these things break us,
leaving us too, flowerless.
Man find their way back, but some do not.
Take courage because even though it feels
as if you have nothing left to give, at the
end of your rope, this is when your journey
is about to begin. Similar to the 'ending' of
a dandelion, after the seeds are carried off,
the process begins all over again. Therefore,
rather than it be the end, in reality, it
is the beginning.
It is here you must make a decision. You can
stubbornly fight against the wind or go with it.
All aspect of life is controlled and known by God.
He is our wind. He chooses to remove us when
needed and other times, allows us to remain.
Every single trial in your life has a purpose. It is
either to test you, humble you, punish you, or
help strengthen your relationship with Him.
This process hurts and at times will leave you
battered and bruised. However, the pain is
both necessary and an unavoidable part
of life. Like from the novel The Fault in Our
Stars, pain demands to be felt. For how
can we heal without feeling a broken bone?
How and why would we ask for help if
we are not sick? Pain is unique as it humbles
and enables the human mind and body.
Pain is sometimes the only thing that
forces us to crumble. It constraints us
to admit we need help. After all, you
can only get pulled out of a fire after
you yell for help. Furthermore, like a
storm, it is after you experience the
immaculate waves and heavy winds,
you then feel relief and gratitude.
You give thanks that you were spared.
To conclude, a lot can be learned
from the cycle of a dandelion. All you
must do, is take the time to look and
ponder its' existence. Remember, the last
stage of a dandelions' life, is the most
traumatic. Take heart because the seed
dispersal is not the end. Rather, it is only
the beginning to a better, brighter
yellow flowering.
Encouragement of the Day:
"God is our refuge and strength, a very
present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
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