By Linda Caldean, RN

Spring, my favorite time of the year. I love being a witness to the gradual rebirth of plant life around me. Watching the tree’s leaf out, the grass turning from brown to green, and early spring flowers poking their heads above the soil, reaching for the Sun. It’s like a fresh start, a new beginning, perhaps symbolic of our own lives as we strive to grow and change. 

Being an avid gardener, I appreciate the Lotus Flower, which is my Heart, the core of who I am.  I visualize planting the tuber in fertile soil, watering it, loving it. I nurture it and embrace its vulnerability. It’s willingness to weather the storms, continuing to grow and push through in spite of it all. 

As the Lotus Flower slowly emerges, the challenge is to encourage its growth as the petals begin to open. It’s a matter of taking risks and allowing it to flourish in spite of life’s many challenges. All the while pulling on an inner certainty that it will survive. Trusting as it leads the way. 

I hold the Lotus Flower in my hand and see its gentle and radiant beauty. I feel the softness and vulnerability of its petals, along with its quiet strength. There are blemishes and wounds. Do I put up a barrier and protect, or do I acknowledge the wisdom and growth I’ve attained as a result. Is my desire stronger to radiate warmth and compassion to those around me?

The Lotus remains rooted, and when the Heart is open, it tunes into and senses the energy vibrations around it. The petals feel the energy and begin to respond with a gentle flutter. I visualize what it is I would like to know, and let it led the way. It has an innate awareness, a steady knowingness and wisdom. Reaching out, the Heart is all encompassing, like an antenna transmitting and receiving. I am learning to pause, feel from it, and then let it communicate.

This “Heartfelt Sense” connects with the Mind and its critical thinking, helping it to discern what is REAL, or not. What is my Heart trying to say? Will my Mind derive its knowledge solely from its own interpretation? A sensory experience from the Heart? Or both.

This interaction between Heart and Mind can be in harmony, which creates a positive and successful outcome. Or the Mind can reject what the Heart feels or is communicating. This can lead to poor decision-making or perspective. All part of the process of my growth as a spiritual being.

As I strive to lead with my Heart, there is a growing awareness of the need to keep my thoughts from swinging from one extreme to another. In other words, to stay out of the drama.

Slowly I will develop the skill to use my mind to level my thoughts out, achieving some sort of balance. I will learn to draw from the wisdom of my Heart, gained through many experiences. It is a delicate balance, achieved through trial and error, and I am willing to try.

Take a moment of quiet to tune into YOUR Heart. What do you feel? You may surprise yourself.

Maybe your Heart is ready and wishes to flower. It just needs encouragement, and you will be on your way.