Flowers are a sign of Spring; a time of reawakening and renewal from the coldness of Winter. Where I live, there’s a race between the crocuses and the daffodils to see which will bloom first. They are the harbingers of Spring. Usually, the crocuses win by sprouting their little purple heads as the snow begins to melt. There have been years when I have seen them blossoming in the late winter if there is a warm spell in the weather. Those blossoms are a sign of life in the natural world. Art, literature, and religion draw analogies from nature to human experience as one of flourishing after facing many difficulties or a challenging period. A scripture from the Song of Solomon (2:12) celebrates how “The flowers appear on earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.”
There is another flower that is very special. It is the lotus. According to eastern religions, the lotus symbolizes enlightenment and rebirth. This flower grows in the mud, but eventually becomes one of the most beautiful flowers on earth. Spiritual teachers say that human beings are much like the lotus blossom in that we often find ourselves in difficult and “murky” conditions. However, when we struggle to see daylight and search for answers, we are like the lotus reaching for the sunlight. As soon as the light warms us and illuminates our path, we open our hearts like the petals of the lotus reaching for the Sun. As soon as a ray of light gives us insight, we open one petal and then another until we have blossomed from sadness and despair into a flower that is free to express its beauty. We can identify with the resilience of the lotus and see how it flourishes when it opens all its petals despite the challenges, muck and mire.
Lady Bird Johnson, wife of President Lyndon Baines Johnson, once said, “Where flowers bloom, so does hope.” She was known for her support for environmental causes and the highway beautification initiatives which became law. She helped in the design of the White House Gardens and was also a supporter of the arts. Later she wrote about her experiences and continued to support these causes after leaving the White House. Her influence remains with us today.
There are also scientists and environmental writers like Rachel Carson,who wrote her most famous book, “Silent Spring.” This book sounded the alarm against the use of chemical pesticides which were poisoning the earth and the people using them. The book was considered controversial by some in the business world because it would negatively impact profitability for several companies. But her work influenced the global environmental and conservation movements. There are other environmentally conscious writers such as Paul Hawken and Bill McKibben who offer insights into nature and are activists for the earth.
The wonders of nature should prompt an awareness of our interdependence with the environment. We must continue to address the problems of climate change as evidenced by the increase in extreme weather. We must find ways to stop corporate polluters from their reckless misuse of the land, water and air by drawing attention to them, and finding alternative ways of mining resources and manufacturing. We must be aware of endangered species, and do our part to protect all God’s creatures who are driven to the brink of extinction by the ever-expanding demands of human civilization. We must consider and practice voluntary simplicity, recycling and reusing things to preserve our planet. This includes the re-wilding that ecologists encourage so that wildlife can coexist with urban life. In Connecticut, there are movements which encourage habitat improvement, protect lands, and care for injured and orphaned wild animals. Websites like the Audubon Society, Estuary Magazine, and Nutmeg Acres Wildlife Rehabilitation have the information. There is also a directory of environmental organizations in Connecticut with statistics that are helpful for finding a cause that speaks to you.
Spring reminds us of the life cycle and our connection to the earth. The beauty of the flowers blooming and trees budding reminds us that life goes on despite seasons of coldness and misfortune. Spring flowers remind us that the earth is filled with miracles that occur regularly, if we take the time to learn about our environment so we can nurture and preserve our world. Let us be more open to making every day “Earth Day” as we create a more sustainable world “where flowers bloom.”
