“I sit before flowers, hoping they will train me in the art of opening up.” ~ Shane Koyczan

When you open up and share your stories, you allow others who live similar stories to know that they are not alone. 

I loved witnessing the bravery that the first flowers of the new season demonstrated when they opened their little petals and filled my garden with sweet scents weeks before winter came to a close. I imagine that it takes a certain trust in the unseen forces of the Divine to courageously move from bud to bloom. These gentle creatures teach us the delicate art of opening up and fearlessly sharing your extraordinary gifts with the world. They blossom unapologetically and are a mirror of the love and beauty alive within each of us.

When writing the intro for Pearl’s guest blog post two weeks ago I was reminded of those fragile moments early in my relationship with my husband. At the time, I was not used to receiving affection or positive reinforcement. A childhood plagued with bullies and growing up in a harsh environment led me to retreat inward as a defence mechanism. But something shifted when he opened the petals of his heart before me and radiated a kind and genuine love that I never thought I’d find. His honesty, warmth and openness softened the rough edges of my jaded heart, so that with time I began to open up too. The manner in which my husband embodies his presence always inspires me. He has a beautiful way of coaxing people out of their shells and allowing them to be comfortable, as well as to see their own inner beauty.

 “How did the rose ever open its heart and give to this world all its beauty? It felt the encouragement of light against its being, otherwise, we will remain too frightened ” ~ Hafiz

My desire to inspire and share healing with others has encouraged me to do the same over the years. So many people walk difficult paths and often all they need is a little bit of positive energy, understanding and sincerity to encourage them to let their guard down and share the rich contents of their inner world. By being who you are more fully and openly expressing your essence, you inevitably give the people around you permission to let down their facades and to be more of who they are freely. They open up and the pathways to meaningful connections are formed. I’ve come to treasure those precious moments when the other person suddenly lights up and feels comfortable and inspired enough to bring their exquisite inner petals to the surface. Watching a liberated heart sparkle in plain sight is incredible.

Experience has taught me that you never know the burdens that each person carries or how long they have been imprisoned in the shadows of fear or pain. We learn to hide these parts of ourselves in shame, and pretend that all is fine. Yet, so many of us go through similar experiences. When you open up and share your stories, you allow others who live similar stories to know that they are not alone. When you share your dreams, your allow others to dream too. When you communicate messages of love and inspiration, you touch the lives of those who are willing to receive them in profound ways.