Blooms, Bisbee, and Blooming into Joy

My afternoon walk on this beautiful March day led me to extend my usual route, taking me down a new road. And am I ever glad!

With all that’s blooming these Spring days, I had a chance to witness
something new. In addition to the familiar, breathtaking Red Buds… the blue and purple Hyacinths…the magnificent white and magenta Magnolias, I spotted an incredible, expanding Pussy Willow bush.

At least I’m pretty sure that’s what it was.

I’ve never seen one before.

This blooming plant reminded me of a Dr. Seuss creation, radiating wildly in a zillion directions, in all states of softness and softness-in- the-making.

Continuing home, I mused about natural and manmade wildness, which led me to recall a trip to Bisbee, Arizona with my partner a couple years ago.

Ben had lived there for eight years before moving to Brevard, NC, and ever since we’d met here, he’d wanted me to see that one-of-a-kind town that couldn’t be explained, but needed to be witnessed.

A former copper mining town in southern Arizona, Bisbee is the epitome of unique, wild, and crazy, as well as a quaint, lovely place to visit with your sweetie.

There’s the Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb Race, The Iceman Competition, the Queen Mine Tour, and more.

Where else would folks adhere anything and everything to an outside wall? Or paint all objects red, and attach them to the exterior of their house?

I’ve included a couple snapshots for you to get the idea.

From Spring blooming to Bisbee blooming, I want to know what’s aching to burst into bloom in you.

And that, dear readers, makes me think of a couple participants in The Circle of Joy I’m facilitating. Seems these souls are aching to live into their new lives, and they’re being held back by ?

A belief in themselves? Courage to face pain? Partners they don’t want to hurt?

In the Circle journaling class, we don’t go deeply into one another’s lives, but much comes up through the writing at home, and we gather to share what we’re called to share.

I long to put my arms around the fragile ones, encouraging them to take steps into the lives calling to them.

How much longer can they tamp down new life wanting to burst forth?

I’d tell them and anyone wondering how to live into newness: discover what makes your heart sing, and join the song.

Your life will evolve in its natural and right way. And may you not fear the idea of a future pain, but trust each day you are given all you need to take the high road to your best days ahead.

And to you, my friend?