the buds of spring

There is an insatiable wanderlust buried within each of us. For some, the desire for adventure and the unknown rest upon our sleeves; accompanying each new day and new outfit comes a new feat. Others have pushed the desire further and further down, deep under layers of skin, where it waits. They both experience the sensation of jaunting but on two entirely different platforms. What excites one, can terrify the other and the phrase “well I could never do that,” is less about one’s ability, and instead dissects what animates the inner wanderer. There is a constant theme in life, the thirst for something unfamiliar and remarkable. Its presence may always change, yet its sentiment is recognizable.

The flowers of life bloom wildly. They can often be found in manicured lawns, creeping up in between the flowers that have been planted with precision. But the rarest of flowers flourish in the great plains of our world, uninhibited and unbound to limits. Crawling out of the ground in the renaissance of spring, budding with optimism, they are unassuming of the severe elements that can shake their stems. The complexities of life tend to rattle the flowers we cautiously water, and repeatedly, our nurture is never enough. Grasping our flowers in the harsh of winter, we bring them along as we wander through the different paths. With each curve, hill, and unpaved road, a petal wilts. One by one, neglect from the distractions consumes the assortment of petals, leaving us alone on a path looking for the way back to the beginning. There is solace in what we know, what we can do, who we are, but turning around is not always the answer.

Wandering through life proves just as difficult as stagnation. One, littered with uncharted waters, while the other can saturate the spirit of opportunity. Moments of built-up tension and uncertainty cloud the mind of heartful decisions and in these moments, we drunkenly stumble down another path. It begins with empty trees waiting for leaves to bud. Take a deep breath in and pause. Surround yourself in nature. The trees start to rustle rhythmically. The tall lumbering sway, the crackle of leaves, and the trickle of a nearby stream create a cacophony of wondrous sounds. Continuing blindly, the path has transfigured. The harsh realities of winter are melting and the petals we once nurtured are blooming. The retreat to nature provides a necessary refuge and spring rejuvenates our perspectives. We all will wander throughout life, and while the paths may differ, the cold, harsh, reality of winter follows each of us. It is easy to nurture others, but lest not forget to nurture your flowers.