Beneath the Surface

“Deep in their roots all flowers keep the light.” ~Theodore Roethke

From the dry and withered wintery branches, new life begins to grow. Colors emerge from the grayness. Daffodils, lilacs and fruit blossoms bring hope and expectations of a warm and welcome season ahead. Underneath the brilliance of these temporary blooms, deep in the ground, lie the life-giving roots. The rough, resilient and intricate weblike structures are what stabilize and nourish the beauty we enjoy this time of year. Despite the bleak, blustery and freezing winter months, beneath the surface, the light and life of plants have been conjuring their springtime debut.

As humans, we are no different from the trees and flowers we admire. The true source of our vitality is in our roots. We too endure seasons in our lives… emotional seasons. And even in the “wintery” moments, which may feel lifeless and dreary, our roots can prepare us for a more vibrant time. Wherever we come from, or whatever we may have experienced in the past only makes our roots grow deeper and more resilient. Without the roots which stabilize and sustain us, we would be vulnerable to smallest of threats, and like a plant, we may wither and fade or be trampled by life’s storms. Instead, the light we keep beneath the surface illuminates us from within.

Dig beneath that surface! Explore what we cannot readily see in order to honor and appreciate the roots responsible for the bold, adventurous and colorful life we can see. Recognize that the vulnerability we experience is grounded in a steadfast and complex network. Our roots nourish, inform and allow us to weather the storms and challenging climates so we may emerge with more strength, endurance and vitality than before.

Strategies for caring for our roots:

Compassion—Forgiving ourselves and others for mistakes, shortcomings and disappointments allows us to heal and resolve issues that are otherwise likely to hold us back or dictate our decisions. As the Dalai Lama says, “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”

Exploration—Understanding what lies beneath our surface, in the way of previous life experiences and relationships, and honestly assessing the impact of these experiences on who we are today can give us more insight and leverage in how we relate to the world around us.

Environment—Just as fertile soil is critical for the survival of a plant, it is important that the environment in which we live (our home, community, city, etc.) is conducive to how we aspire to grow. If it is not, we must modify our surroundings. This could mean anything from adding more light in a room to moving to different area of town.

Nourishment—Don’t forget the basics: sunshine, water, nutritious food, exercise and mindfulness are essential in sustaining ourselves through “winter” moods and seasons.