"Sunflower Moments"

Last week while driving through Kansas I passed a huge field of sunflowers. Their stems were standing straight and tall, almost proud-like, but their heads were slumped forward, fallen because their season had come to an end. It was a sad sight.  While looking across this field of gloomy, drooped sunflowers, all I could think about were the people that I know or have known in the past whose heads are always down and have been overcome with sadness.

We’ve all had these “sunflower moments.” The moments when we think life couldn’t get any harder. The moments when we feel like we don’t have any strength left to lift up our heads, get out of bed, or see the good things that are right in front of us.  It’s what we do with these moments that truly matter.

Most of us eventually focus on the positives: seeing disappointments, obstacles, and heartache as growth and lessons learned. But what about those who don’t see life’s struggles as building blocks for the future? Those lonely, sad sunflowers going through life with their heads down, just waiting for the next season because maybe, just maybe,  it will make them feel (temporarily) better. But just like before, that season passes too, and their heads once again fall forward.

If you are that sad sunflower today, lift up your head. Life is great! Embrace the heartache, troubled times, loss, disappointment, depression-- whatever it may be that is forcing your head to droop-- and focus on the good, no the GREAT, that will come from it! Believe me, I know it’s easier said than done; I’ve had plenty of my own “sunflower moments,” but my happy-head-lifted-high moments are sooo much better!

Smile. Laugh. Treat yourself to something that makes you happy, whatever that may be. Today is a new day. Make it what you want—make it the best day ever! You are in control of your destiny. If you want to continue to be stuck in those “sunflower moments” for a little bit longer, choose that. But why not choose to lift your head up now instead of waiting for tomorrow, for next season, or for whatever it is on which you are waiting?