It’s so easy for me to think that I need all the perfect conditions in order to thrive. I have often told myself that if one aspect of my life were improved, then I would excel, be content, or achieve everything that I wanted to.
But the truth is, conditions are rarely perfect. Our lives are filled with difficult compromises and attachments that keep us from that pure sense of “freedom”– an elusive concept that, at least for me, really means a universe at which I am at the center.
Lately I have had a difficult time with desiring to do things that are just not possible for me right now. I’ve said to myself, if only I could… then I’ll be happy. Then things will be perfect.
The fact is, however, that we are planted in our circumstances without having to be enslaved to them. While circumstances can change, we are placed in our current location, given our current means, and we must thrive in that. We can choose to thrive in that. Our circumstances may dictate certain aspects of our daily lives, but they definitely do not dictate all aspects.
I was so encouraged to come upon these wildflowers (pictured above) during our hike in Utah. Their brilliant purple was an astonishing hue against the dusty reds and soft greens of the desert landscape. Despite harsh conditions, they bloomed where they were planted.
This week I am determined to look for ways in which I can thrive in my circumstances. True freedom, as I’m learning, lies in the decision not to be hindered by those things we cannot change.
Happy Monday, everyone!
Hi Charlotte, thank you so much for your sweet words. I’m so glad that this resonated with you!
I found this post and your blog just when I needed to. I’ve been feeling sort of stuck, wanting to do things that just aren’t realistic for me right now. This helped. Thank you.
Yes!! I think we all do! 🙂
Such a beautiful concept that I need to work on more in my own life!
So good to hear that Chelsea! I’ve heard it said that no one is able of stealing our joy. That always convicts me!!
Good to hear that Jenna!! So excited for your next stage too!
Thanks girl! Yes… happiness is definitely not limited to perfect circumstances.
Thanks Becky!
Good for you Jo-Anne!! 🙂
Yay! Thanks Jenna! I know that these seasons can be pesky and discouraging but I also know that God has so much in store for His people.
So glad you could relate– let’s work on this together!!
Ah yes, Ashley!! “Heart work” is exactly what it is– allowing the Lord to shape us as He desires for us. Thank you so much for reading!
Aw thanks Kiki! I’m really glad you enjoyed this post. Let’s both work on thriving where we are right now!
“Lately I have had a difficult time with desiring to do things that are just not possible for me right now. I’ve said to myself, if only I could… then I’ll be happy. Then things will be perfect.”
I can to relate to this in my current season of life. But then I’m convicted to be content. Definitely asking the Lord for his help… this was an encouragement. 🙂
This is something I’ve been working on! In just a few months I’ll be where I’ve wanted to be in life (married, working from home, etc). But it’s hard to be happy in the now when I’m having a hard time with my job and other things in life. Definitely working on being positive and blooming where I am!
Another lovely post, Daisy! It is all too easy for us to think that if only this would change, we’d be happy. But it’s really all up to ourselves to find the positives and work with what we’ve got!
Girl, what a lovely post. I absolutely love this, it’s super inspiring. Hugs!
I am one of those rare people who isn’t high maintenance and does in fact just goes with the flow drifting through life
Thank you Brittany!! Exactly– we make certain choices and we learn to thrive in them, even when not all circumstances are ideal!
Awesome, Chelsea!
Wow, that must have been tough! I’m so glad this resonated with you, Ally!
Thanks Bethany!!
This completely speaks directly to me, Daisy! I honestly have only had this mindset a few times this difficult year. I only have 25 school days left in the school year, and I’m challenging myself to do exactly that–bloom where I’ve been planted! And if the Lord calls me to another year in the classroom, I hope and pray that He gives me the strength to bloom again.
Thanks for sharing this. I needed to hear it!
I can completely relate to this. So many times I hold myself back because of anxiety and just say, if you change this in your life everything will be fine. But then it’s not, it took me awhile to realize that sometimes you need help and sometimes the things you thrive for have to be put on the back burner. It’s so easy to get caught up in the negatives of your life, and forget about the positives.
Yes! Wherever we are at, and however we got there, we have to remember that God is faithful in it. He is a God of good, and He will use even difficulty to refine us and to make us more like Him. We just have to be willing to allow difficult seasons and easy seasons to grow us. For me, I have had to reframe and redefine. I can find joy, thanksgiving, and growth in good and in hard seasons, but I have to change my expectations of what that looks like, I have to redefine joy, and reframe the hard and ugly – it becomes hard work, that is doing heart work.
I feel this way often. I seem to be almost at war with myself over things I have no control over. I need to take this advice to heart. It’s so hard to get wrapped up in life and it’s constant “wants.” Your blog always snaps me out of that haze. Thank you for enriching my mind with your words Daisy. (:
http://www.accordingtokiki.net
I love this! Sometimes we don’t get to pick our circumstances, and sometimes we do. In the latter case, I often need to remind myself that I chose where I was going to be planted, and now I need to stay committed (a home, a friendship, a job, etc.). I think it’s definitely more difficult to thrive in tough circumstances that we didn’t choose, but absolutely possible. The wildflowers are a beautiful illustration!
I’m right there with you learning this too!
In high school, my family did a lot of moving. “Bloom where you’re planted” was a piece of advice given to me by one of my mentors- and I did my best to live that out during those difficult years. This is a great reminder to me… thanks!
Definitely something I have been working on in my life as well. 🙂 Thanks for the added encouragement!
Thanks!
Thank you Laura!! That’s exactly what this post is getting at!
What an inspiring post, thanks for sharing 🙂
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I’ve always loved that quote, ‘bloom where you are planted’. There are so many things in life we don’t control, and we have to learn to be content and happy with where we are at any given moment, even if we are striving more.