Brave Enough to Pick Flowers by Isabelle Hardesty

Sometimes in life I’ve doubted myself and thought my ideas weren’t good enough.  We believe others have a special gift or power.  But then you step into your truth and see that all along, you’ve had the power. Your ideas are good enough.

There I was, with yet another chance to pick a perfect bouquet. In all the times I’ve had the chance to make my own bouquet from a field of flowers, I wasn’t brave enough to do it.

I’ve seen hundreds of bouquets. I think of the exquisite bouquet I held when I got married in 2007. I think of the Hollywood bouquets given in gestures of love in classic movies and television shows. I think of the many bouquets I’ve received and given. Those bouquets, each and every one of them, seemed perfect.

Well, I stood in the flower garden section of the U-Pick farm on a crisp Saturday morning with my son and husband, and I looked at the flowers. The flowers danced in the wind. I wasn’t sure if it was an invitation or a dare.

There were too many wonderful choices! Too many amazing colors! There were also sunflowers nearby, and I love those–they make me think of Van Gogh. As my mind raced, I realized I was losing my courage.

And then I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and enjoyed just being among the flowers. I opened my eyes and walked up to a pink flower and began collecting.

I made my bouquet one flower at a time. I walked to another flower, and added it to my collection. I did this about a dozen times, until I had a bouquet that made my heart smile.

The only way I was able to brave the overwhelmingly beautiful field of flowers was to focus on one flower at at a time.

One flower.

Now, whenever I have the opportunity to make my own bouquet of flowers, I know it will be the perfect blend of colors and scents.

About Isabelle Hardesty