In the last few days, I’ve been thinking about many things and as always I have my sounding board (a.k.a. my husband, José) to talk things over with. Discussing how I haven’t been able to learn to drive, he said something that hit home. To paraphrase, I want to do things and take risks, but don’t go the whole hog or give it my all.
I realize that is absolutely true and it is a pattern. I have lots of ideas, creative ones at that, but don’t commit to them in a way that can see the idea completely true. I invest a lot of myself, and yet something holds me back from taking that final plunge.
Just as an example, a few months ago, I started a series called Write Your Heart Out. The first post in the series is one of my most popular posts on this blog. Yet, I gave up on the series. My weekly newsletter too is very sporadic. These are small examples.
Let’s not talk about my desire to exercise regularly. Or actually, let’s talk about it! I always give myself the excuse that I’m too tired to walk or I don’t have the stamina. But last week, on vacation, I put in a good 5 kms in one afternoon walking in the hot sun. So I have the ability, but lack the discipline?
I’m not sure what the reason for this is. It’s something I have to work on.
To Be A Wildflower
As I was pondering on José’s words, I began to think of wildflowers. My mind, I tell you!
But there’s a connection.
I love wildflowers. They seem to grow in an aimless and haphazard fashion, but there’s a tenaciousness about them that is hard to ignore. I love how they find a way to blossom in nooks and crevices and in difficult condtions. They manage to combine freedom of expression with the ability to dare to blossom. Wildflowers dare greatly.
Wildflowers
I envy them.
They’re brave.
Seeds cast by the wind to land where they may, they stay and hold against most hot, most cold.
They persevere, roots shallow yet fierce and free.
They epitomize to me all that I sometimes yearn to be.
~Julie Andrews, Wildflowers
Like Julie Andrews, I yearn to be like the wildflowers – free and brave.
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It’s rather uncanny to hear you say things about yourself that plague me often as well. I had started learning to drive but quit halfway…had so many ideas on things to write about, all fizzled again halfway through. I’m working on a book that is taking so much time to put together that I wonder when it will see the light of the day! And yet, these are what nudge me on…All these things that we yearn to be…aren’t these enough reasons to go on? I particularly loved the analogy of the wildflower!
Somewhat similar to my life story. I make grand plans, and maybe even start on it, only to fizzle out later. Well written.
Hi Corinne! What an absolutely stunning quote… I’ve never heard that one before, but I love it! It would be a great one to add to a journal or vision board. My problem is I tend to get all excited at the beginning of things, but then it’s sometimes the slog of plodding on, one foot after the other that leads to procrastination and letting things slide. It’s hard to find the ‘spark’ to keep going. I’ll have to try and think of those wildflowers that manage to grow in the most difficult conditions as you mentioned…. they manage despite all the odds and obstacles.
I’m like you in many ways Corinne when it comes to seeing something through, especially when it comes to the blog. I always have ideas but somehow I don’t give it my all..Maybe I want to be a wildflower too, there’s just something about being one
We all are similar in this way, having plans but failing to execute them or lacking that last bit of energy to have them completed. For the blog, so many times I have planned to write weekly posts about the discussion me and son have around the books we read but then I haven’t been able to show it the day light. For my weighty issues, I make up my mind to fix an appointment with the nutritionist but it seems a huge task – calling up followed by the doubt if I will do it with discipline. I want to be a wildflower too.
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Ah, wildflowers. They are worth study, are they not? I love to take pictures of them. As for starting projects and not following through, perhaps it is a characteristic of creatives? Something not to worry too much about? I doubt wildflowers worry. They take their season in the sun and make use of every second.
Disipline really do matters and sometimes I even lose this track with my day of life… But, again get the kick to start again.
I love this. I need to create a schedule and stick to it and I also feel like listening to Tom Petty now.
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This is a common characteristic which can be found with many people around us. We do plan but never make them work, for the lack of energy, time and zeal. I learnt driving twice from the training school but due to the lack of practice, I can’t drive alone even after 3 years.
With respect to blogging, I can firmly say that you have committed yourself whole-heartedly and inspire many others.
I want to be a wildflower. I too sometimes struggle with doing the things that I need to do like exercise, meditation, dishes…..lol.
Oh I think I would like to be a wildflower sometimes Corinne I can feel the freedom.
I hear you… I actually have heard the same thing from my husband … Probably it’s my Geminian trait, I take up a lot of things but then struggle to finish them all. True, I too need more discipline 🙂
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Hey Corinne it seems strange that your thoughts resonate with so many of us. I too have many start ups that never went beyond the first step, many unfinished projects that my mother now hopes my grandchildren will finish…..Is it that that we are all too content in our own little boxes?
Discipline is such a tricky thing Corinne, we all want it but when it comes to the crunch it’s hard to keep the momentum going. Maybe we all need to be tenacious like those wildflowers and try a little harder to stick it out?
That is all too human…..isn’t it Corinne? We, well most of us, are like that – we start something with passion, and then somehow, we lose track, slow down…..Then, there are few who shine…because they persevere. That is what makes them achievers. They don’t give up on their goals so easily. Lovely analogy drawn with wildflowers.
Corinne, you are not alone!
I often wonder … I’ve read many books and blogs on writing and online business building, always searching for that “secret sauce”, when it may just come down to doing it. Is that the only fundamental difference between those who find success and those who don’t?
I too have the creative ideas … I too need to move more … I too need to make more time to meditate … and the list goes on and on.
What a great metaphor in the wild flower. Dare greatly — and don’t worry if it gets a little messy. 🙂
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I like the wildflower analogy. Habit forming is a skill to learn like many others Good luck with what ever you try to make a habit!
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It is hard to stick to a schedule when you’re just thinking about casting your seeds to the wind.
To be a wildflower just became my goal. 😀
Great post Corinne – but I have to say, in reality, being a wildflower ain’t always easy! Some of the ‘cultivated’ flowers tend to bully wild flowers and look down on them for being different. Wild flower lovers are out there – usually other wild flowers themselves and I adore those people – they are my tribe! When I was a child, I didn’t know I was a wild flower – I just knew I didn’t ‘fit in’. I was listening to Jimi Hendrix and wearing patchouli oil as perfume when I was 14 while my friends were into Donny Osmond and Avon products (yuk to both!!!!)
As a wild flower, I don’t do anything regularly, I don’t follow anything systematically (my brain wiring is the exact opposite of people who do) and I do indeed get blown around by the wind of my own chaotic, creative mind, like a seed, and land wherever I land each day. It’s wonderful and painful at the same time. Painful mainly because cultivated flowers judge wildflowers as weeds and that makes life hard in some areas. Me? I look at cultivated flowers and think, wow, you’re beautiful but I don’t know how to be you. This is a brilliant post Corinne – thank you. x
Hey Gilly, I had to pop in and tell you how much I enjoyed your extended metaphor! It’s just awesome, from one wild flower to another. 🙂
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I didn’t know that about wildflowers…love it! Free and brave is a great goal to aim for. I don’t think you should give up on your dreams and goals…you do need to dare and you are very capable! Especially the writing stuff. P.S. If you do decide to continue The Artist’s Way, I’d love to join in. I’ve ordered my book and am waiting for it to arrive.
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What a beautiful thought, to be a wildflower – daring and free. We all have some thing or the other that we end up stopping midway unfinished. The ‘physical exercise’ procrastination happens to me all the time :p I have plans to join the gym and hope to not stop that midway. Good luck to you and your plans, hope you become a daring wildflower. 🙂
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Wildflowers have always been some of my favorite flowers. I never knew why until now. Thanks for such a beautiful post.
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I like this. May we all flower together! Best wishes on maintaining an exercise program. For me, paying for a gym membership where I can lift weights and swim, both of which I enjoy, has gotten me motivated to go regularly over the last year and a half. Books and music help, too, depending on the activity. Be well!
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I have stopped counting the number of things I want to do but simply did not try… or gave up… 🙁
However I now try to set ‘smaller’ goals (I dont know if smaller is the right word but you get my drift!!) which I have actually achieved and this is a big motivator!! Your comparison with wildflowers is spot on!
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