I've been thinking about weeds lately. Our yard is full of them right now, and I'm waiting for the right morning conditions to put down weed and feed. Usually, I don't like to use chemicals but this lawn is out of control! It needs help. The weeds need to die to make room for the healthy grass to grow.
So what thoughts do I have about weeds? Why do weeds exist even? For some people, weeds are wildflowers to be appreciated. For others, they are invasive pests to be plucked out. In terms of our interior selves, this is how I look at weeds. As we go through our lives, weeds get planted and take root through negative events we experience: things like neglect, abuse, bullying, loss, poverty, betrayal. And just like weeds in our yard, the longer our weeds are there, the stronger the root gets. Some are incredibly stubborn! Like weeds in the yard, we may need help pulling them out. And we must get the whole root or back they come!
How do we get rid of these weeds? First, we have to identify the source of the weed. What planted that seed? How has our life been affected? For example, neglect can leave behind things like distrust, poor self esteem, and always expecting the worst. We may have to grieve for how things were and how we wished they would have been. We may have to learn new ways of thinking about ourselves and others and new ways to relate to others. Then we have to replace the space left by the weed with healthy self care and positive relationships. If we leave that space, other weeds may pop up and take root. Just like weed and feed, we get rid of the roots and feed the healthy places.
And another important fact about weeds is this: while the weed itself may be invasive and prickly, it can make beautiful flowers. Neglect hurts and is very sad. But that neglected child may grow into an adult who has a heart to make sure they don't repeat that with their own kids. They may have a heart that enables them to understand the pain of others. They may make a commitment to have a garden full of blessings and generosity for others. The root was sad, but it produced a flower that was beautiful.
Hearts Like Wildflowers
I hope you are blessed with a heart like a wildflower.
Strong enough to rise again after being trampled upon, tough enough to weather the worst of the summer storms, and able to grow and flourish even in the most broken places.
Nikita Gill
