“Plant your own garden
and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone
to bring you flowers.”
~ Veronica Shoffstall
I’ve read this passage over and over and can’t believe how empowering these words are for almost any situation. And it’s particularly poignant if you’ve lost a loved one and are now on your own. You’ve been part of a couple for so long that you both got used to being taken care of. But now who will be there to share the weight? Or a different perspective? Or even bring you flowers?
When you spend so much time pursuing happiness in a relationship, self love isn’t always at the forefront. You had other people to take care of. And when your own passions and dreams gave way to this relationship, well that’s just what happens. Love was all you needed, or so you thought…
And now you find yourself on your own.
Regardless of how we got to being on our own again, I think we all share the same struggle…how to create more comfortable surroundings that will help us face fears or new uncertainties. How to let go when we feel we just can’t. How to adjust to this new status gracefully. How to move on. Alone.
While there are no instructions for saying goodbye to any part of our lives, somehow we manage to fumble through and make it out the other side, often landing in a world that feels like a fixer-upper. But hey, we’re still here.
We just need to renovate a little. And what better place to start a renovation than from within? Redecorate your soul! Bring back beautiful bold colors. Get comfortable with yourself. Fine-tune the next chapter of your life with you in focus. “How?” you ask..
Care for yourself first, and you will find your center. Bring in your own flowers so the scent can carry you off to a beautiful place as you meditate. Bring music back into your life and you will dance again like everybody is looking! Pick up a new set of sheets for even that can invigorate new dreams.
When you take time for you, and begin to live in the present, the rest will fall into place. Nothing heals the soul more than living in the moment.
And a healed soul moves you on with renewed purpose. It makes you a better person and friend to yourself and to others. It lifts you up again to a place where magic happens and you feel happy again.
So savor this time alone and don’t be afraid. Listen to the messages of your heart and soul as they sing the end of this beautiful passage:
“you really are strong
you really do have worth
and you learn
and you learn
with every goodbye, you learn.”
~ Veronica Shoffstall
Choose your colors, beautiful soul. Your palette awaits!
