Not All Flowers Bloom in View

Not everything that a man knoweth can be disclosed, nor can everything that he can disclose be regarded as timely, nor can every timely utterance be considered as suited to the capacity of those who hear it.

Bahá’u’lláh

It’s thought-provoking to be reminded that not everything we have to say should necessarily be shared. To complicate matters further, even when something is worth sharing, it may not be the right time to do so. And finally, even if we find the right words and choose the right moment, those who hear them may not be ready to benefit from them.

I love the way this passage reminds us of the fragility of true communication. Sometimes we’re so convinced of our eloquence, so proud of our rigorous thinking, that we forget to consider whether the other person is ready, willing or able to hear what we are saying.

I was talking with some friends about the challenges of communication when one admitted that it had been several months since they could remember expressing a particular point clearly and well to someone. Then, rather ruefully, they added that it had been much longer—decades—since they themselves had felt truly heard. Perhaps, in this world of sound bites, broadcasting and social media, we have forgotten the gentle art of listening.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1, King James Bible

This quotation, one of my favourites, reminds us that our lives, like the natural world, have their seasons. To me, it also speaks of the patience, determination and perseverance needed to bring something worthwhile to fruition. Wanting something to happen does not necessarily mean that its time has come.

All great things are slow of growth; nay, this is true even of a grape or of a fig.

Epictetus

When we look at nature and follow the slow journey from seed to plant, blossom to fruit, we are reminded that some processes cannot be rushed. It’s interesting that Epictetus mentions grapes and figs: grapevines bear their flowers openly, while the fig’s tiny flowers are hidden within the structure that becomes the fig we eat. Perhaps there is a reminder here that growth is not always visible. Each of us develops in our own way, and much may be happening inwardly long before there is anything to show the world.

Seize thy chance, for it will come to thee no more.

Bahá’u’lláh

Yet patience is only part of the story. There is also a time to act.

Since different plants bear fruit in different ways and at different times, there seems little point in measuring our progress entirely against that of those around us. Each of us has our own capacities, circumstances and purpose. We can learn from others without expecting our lives to follow the same pattern.

But a harvest still depends on planting and tending. We cannot neglect the sowing, leave our plants unwatered through a dry spell, and then expect an abundant crop. So, alongside patience, we need attentiveness: a willingness to recognise an opportunity and the courage to take it before it passes.

Perhaps the challenge is to recognise when to speak and when to listen, when to wait and when to act.

Weeds have mastered resilence

The weeds are rampant in their triumph over all my endeavours. I wrestle them out pulling hand fulls, bucket fulls and even filling my bin. 

The patch looks healthy once more with tiny flowers, free to soak up the sun. It lasts a mere week before the beasts are back. I should have known, they don't come out by the roots like a decent flower. No, they break off just beneath the soil, laughing at my attempts to remove them.  The blasted ivy plays the longer game too, happy to sacrifice stems while sustaining roots hidden below. What better way to outsmart the enemy!  Give them the appearance of victory, job done and soil cleared. But underneath a new revolution is afoot growing in even more abundance from all those severed limbs. 

I look out and see my pansies drowned once more in a tidal wave of green weeds before the week is out.  Lessons learned, when we are cut off and brutally severed. Don't waste time contemplating your losses but look to what remains unseen just below. Go deep and grow like mad. Multiple your roots and trust what remains below will soon find the light above.

The root cause of wrongdoing is ignorance, and we must therefore hold fast to the tools of perception and knowledge. Good character must be taught.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Dandelion Children - appreciate their extraordinary hardy beauty

Recent research has talked of ‘orchid children’ – those who without special nurturing and attention fail to bloom.  They have the potential to achieve a lot but with improper care can spiral downwards into addiction, self-abuse, depression etc.  There have been many articles on these orchid children – how to identify, help and encourage them flourish.  Parent’s websites and magazines abound in strategies to help them.

However, the 'dandelion children', those who thrive despite hardships tend to creep under the radar.  This piece is designed to celebrate these little rays of sunshine that make the world brighter despite being given an incredibly hard start in life.

Dandelion children they call you

No rare orchid sensitive to water and light

A resilient hardy species

Whose ugly roots go deep beneath the surface.

Through hardship they must dig deep.

Burrowing painfully in dark places.

Enduring pain and suffering

Not nurturing and kindness.

All that digging bears fruit

The bright-headed dandelion has roots

Fragrant flowers would die for.

Cheerfully resilient they are found everywhere!

Needing no brush to help them fertilise

No tender handling for efficient growth

Tear them out, eradicate with determination.

These deep roots will send shoots

Of new growth towards the light.

Dam them, enjoy them, endure them

They will out.

Once spent in their blazing brightness

They multiple a hundred fold

Scattering their off spring

With sweet abandon.

Knowing that these are a breed apart

Using every obstacle as a stepping stone

All setbacks an opportunity

To inwardly reflect

On lessons to be learned.

Steeled against philosophical circular ponderings

Or self-conscious preoccupation.

They've learned not to blame

What cannot be changed.

The dandelion children state their claim on life

Painting their happy sunshine colour

Prosaically common

Outshining the pretty and the rare.

Sliema to Valetta by boat and foot - getting lost and finding good stuff

Went for a walk in Valetta today.  First I walked up the hill in Sliema.

The colours of the flowers are amazing and catch the eye.  The houses are equally unusual and even when dilapidated have a presence.

In Malta there are churches at almost every turn, all covered in statues and with often two clocks.  One is set at the wrong time to fool the devil – they say!

The blooms beside a doorway seem too pretty to miss so I do a close up.

Over the hill and I reach the ferries, this is where I catch a boat to Valetta from Sliema.

And as the ferry gets closer the view gets better and better.  I reckon Valetta should always be approached by sea.  The walls are so impressive from water level.

Arriving at Valetta.

Hugging the walls I make my way along the ramparts.

Looking back at Sliema I can see the ferry and where I have come from.

Nature is found even on the bare dry walls.

Now time to climb some stairs and the height of the houses surprises.

Every square meter seems used and the density of living quarters is apparent.The streets become narrow and yet full of life.  This is no museum, but a living city.

Some grand buildings, like the front of this one.

Haven’t a clue where I am going but have time to admire the greenery.

Who cares if they are lost when everywhere interesting streets entice.

Am tempted down one and find myself in the second oldest theatre in Europe.

Even better is the tea room and I take the opportunity to grab a pot of tea and have a well earned break.  I have never experienced this tea room and it is filled with light and has a lovely atmosphere. 

This has to be the loveliest place to chill.  I heartily recommend it!  Sometimes getting lost leads you to the nicest surprises.  Time to head home.