Flowering Fridays: Making Space for New Seedlings to Grow
Friday, March 26, 2010 at 2:23AM 
I've learned a thing or two in my 15 years of gardening.
Like:
You need regularly tend to your garden for it to fully bear fruit.
Weeding allows space for the plants you actually want in your garden to grow.
New seedlings need a lot of care and attention at the beginning so that they can fully thrive.
I have been noticing in my life garden that there was a very special seedling that I given some attention, but not enough for it to really take root and blossom.
Looking at it over the past six months, I found it was wilting and stunted in its growth.
It's a project that so speaks to my heart, feels so very "me" and, most importantly, I can see it making a difference for others in the world. (I don't have it all figured out yet, but it will be a kind of guidebook/resource for spiritual seekers.)
As much I've loved inspiring writers through coaching, classes and the like, I'm ready to step into being an inspired writer myself by turning my attention over to my own writing once again.
I had a wonderfully clarifying intuitive healing session with Hiro Boga two weeks ago.
In an hour, she clarified what had been a big ball of stuckness for more than six months.
(yes, she's that good.)
Before our session, I just couldn't see how the new project fit with the Inspired Writer business. Did I launch two separate websites and blogs? Integrate the two into one? Add a third just for flowers?
Aargh.
I felt lost and overwhelmed.
My own intuitive journaling was pointing me in the right direction (let the Inspired Writer go, I wrote back in January). But it didn't clearly come together until my session with Hiro.
As we talked about the new project and The Inspired Writer (this blog and my business), she suggested putting the Inspired Writer on sabbatical so I could focus on my own journey and on figuring out what this guidebook-thingy will look like.
No blog. No website. No writing coaching. Just time and space to create and allow this tiny seedling of a project to grow into something bigger.
Immediately, I could feel my body relax and excitement ripple through my body.
Last week, I wrote about ideal conditions.
And my ideal conditions include space for reflection, research and my own creative cocoon.
While I do like to offer what I create into the world eventually, the initial process is always more fulfiling to me when it's internal, personal and private.
So, starting next week, my intention for the next six months is to explore, write, create, dream and experience what this guidebook wants to be and who I need to be to shepherd it into the world.
So, this might be the last Flowering Fridays ever…or not. I'll see what develops.
No matter how this unfolds, I will always be deeply grateful for the gift of this writing space, for the flowers and to myself for giving my reflections a place to take root.
I have been able to share in these 71 posts all kinds of big and little moments in my life.
I have been able to share how it was to be with my mom when she died, what our house move brought up in me and how I'm learning how to trust and allow and see the beauty that's ever-present. (And how I forget. Often.)
I have so appreciated those of you co-travelers who have taken the time to read my missives and make comments.
I carry your supportive words, love and encouragement with me into this new chapter.
I do plan to keep in touch through periodic newsletters to share discoveries of new resources and updates on my journey.
(If you want to keep in touch, please sign up here. As a thank you, I will send you a Meet Your Writing Muse guided audio meditation.)
I also plan to post on Twitter (@inspiredwriter) and on Facebook. Follow and friend me if we aren't already connected.
It seems fitting that for the first week of spring I am allowing the shoots of this new project to receive the full sunlight, watering and attention it deserves.
As the flowers are boldly emerging in my yard here in Wisconsin, I too am ready to step into a fuller bloom of myself by honoring and tending to this seedling.
I send you so much love and gratitude for being a part of this journey.
And I send you my wishes that you will continue to bloom. grow. shine. in the garden of your life, too.
Tell me, what tender seedling are you nurturing in your life right now? What's your best advice for navigating the seedling stage of a project?
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Image: Daffodil, poking through, front yard, March 25, 2010
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Flowering Fridays is a weekly look at flowers through the lens of what they might teach us about flowering fully in our life. Past editions are here.
Reader Comments (4)
Thank you for your posts. I have enjoyed your observations and wisdom. Good luck on your journey and congratulations on giving yourself time and space to grow and bloom.
Otis Fret, Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to my posts...and for supporting me on my journey. {you are a beautiful flower in my life garden!}
Shannon, I think you are making a bold move that will help you along your walk. Best of luck with your new encounters, and thanks again for your great support. I'll miss your posts!
Jim L
What a great idea Shannon. I have been rediscovering myself over the past several months so I feel my seeds are all a little scattered and none are really getting the attention they need to truly sprout. I also want to be an inspiring writer and artist. I started a blog and am trying different art to find my niche. I also do volunteering to get out of myself a bit and help my community. I am so glad I already signed up for your newsletter as I have just found your site. I look forward to checking in often and seeing where this leads you. How exciting for you!