Next to a driveway I take frequently to access  a hiking trail head, there’s a kind of a bush or tree that I assumed was dead because it had fallen down and it’s limbs were scattered in a seemingly chaotic pattern.  It looked awful.  Being winter, of course, there are no leaves on any trees, but I assumed this was just dead, and wondered why the city didn’t do anything about clearing this eyesore.  I found myself becoming irritated and complaining in my head about it every time I saw it.

Well, I’ll bet you can guess what happened.  Spring came and out pops the most beautiful lavender blossoms I’ve ever seen all over these “dead” branches.  Every day this broken tree gets more beautiful and I feel a bit guilty having judged, and even been irritated by, something whose beauty was merely hidden from view.  Since then, every time I pass this tree I praise it and am grateful for not only its beauty but also the lesson it holds for me. 

Now, yesterday I pull into this driveway, regard these magnificent branches and what do I see?  Little leaves are springing out that are in the shape of hearts.  Heart-shaped leaves. Well, that just did it for me.  How could I miss the metaphor now?

I was compelled to ask myself if there were anything within me or in my life that I have been irritated by, or have been judging as ugly, broken and wanting to get rid of.  After some deep reflection, I’d have to say yes, there is.  So, what if I held this “thing” as a “tree” whose beauty is simply hiding?  What if I endeavor to find a blessing within this condition?   What would happen if I picture little hearts all over it?  What would happen if I expressed genuine gratitude for this?

My guess is that this “ugly, broken” thing will blossom into a beautiful healing for me and, when it does, I will have expanded my life and be able to express more of my potential.  Of course this takes some effort on my part. It’s not as simple as just affirming a blessing for this condition a few times.  Not after years of condemning it.  It will take daily diligent effort.  But now that the lesson is so clear and my intention is set, nothing can hold me back.

How about you? Is there an area of your life that you feel is broken or that makes you irritated and you wish it would just go away?  Is there something inside yourself you’ve been judging as unacceptable?  Try to see it as branch in winter ready to spring forth beautiful blossoms at the mere thought of you changing your mind about it and loving it.  Express your gratitude for it daily and know that when you do you are, in effect, calling forth the blessings.  If you are a visual person, you could visualize little heart-shaped leaves all over it.  What I know for sure is that everything is in our lives for a reason and, seeing it from the eyes of gratitude transforms a “curse” a magical blessing that will help us express more of our divine potential.