The Dandelion Perspective
I remember blogging briefly about the dandelion before, but the visual and application keeps coming back to me, so I thought instead of exercising (I will later, promise!) I would expand on it.
Our youngest has loved dandelions since she could walk. Each year she’d gather them and present them as bouquets. Often she’d leave them on the couch or a table as a surprise. When she went to the front yard I’d worry about her getting too close to the road. She never traveled far. She went straight to the grass to grab her next bouquet.
I struggle and often fail to share her love for the yellow “flower.” I grew up in the country and when I was old enough, I mowed. My dad was a lawn perfectionist and I’m competitive. We both couldn’t wait to get rid of those yellow “weeds” so we could have our grassy tapestry back.
When our daughter was quite sick, it was also a time when my husband lived in another state with a new job while I was selling the home with 2 acres. I was mowing all the time, especially because it rained often. I had to mow quickly when she was napping. In a medium gear, it took 3 hours on a riding mower. I was so afraid of something happening to the kids, but it was just me.
I hated those dandelions.
Her love for them reminds me of perspective. I analyze a lot of circumstances and I can be pretty black or white. Honestly, perspective probably can reduce us to two things—bitter or better.
She chooses the better, and what a lesson for me. This is a child that looked death in the face and has struggled in different ways since then. If dandelions are a precious gift to her, why can’t I look at them the same way?
This all smacked me in the face as I made the return drive to our current home after a visit to my hometown. It’s a 600 round trip journey. Gas prices are insane. It is emotional at times to return to places and people that remind me of times I thought I sealed shut with sheer will power. The range can surge from guilt to regret to joy to surrender and back again.
It’s easy to be bitter. It’s tempting to resent the hardship the move put on me and my family.
But with the dandelion perspective, it’s also an opportunity to feel blessed. Some people may own more than one home. I own two lives with friends abound in two states. My NY and OH lives don’t interconnect often and that’s okay. I act pretty much the same both places, but they are two separate lives. I realized it’s time to see this as a blessing.
There are many parts of my life that could use this adjustment. How about you? Can you apply the dandelion perspective to your circumstances? I’d love to hear your stories.
featured image by photobucket
