Written by: Dr. Mika Deshotel
"Women must bring into full bloom the original culture yet to be realized—the culture of love and goodness that humanity yearns for so desperately... The world now approaching is one of reconciliation and peace, grounded in a woman's maternal love, her capacity for love, and her harmonizing strength. The time has come when the power of women will save the world." - Mother Of Peace (2020)
Why do women traditionally love flowers so much? It probably has a lot to do with the fact that they represent aspects of the feminine like magnetism, beauty, and inspiring insight. Of all the familiar sights and sounds of the natural world, there are few creatures that compete in variety and splendor to the human eye than the diversity of the world’s flowers. In fact, evolutionarily speaking, with the diversity of flowers came an explosion of diversity of creatures that we see on land, from pollinators like bees and butterflies to a breadth of land animals like mammals, birds, and reptiles. So, what am I getting at with this special focus on flowers? I am highlighting this year’s Awaken Retreat theme, of course, “In Full Bloom!”
In the quote above, Mother Han uses the expression “bring into full bloom” when she refers to the work of women ushering in a new culture, an environment—a world—where the “love and goodness,” for which humanity yearns, can emerge. Mother Han explains that to do this, the world of “reconciliation and peace” must be “grounded in a woman’s maternal love, her capacity for love, and her harmonizing strength.” As I’ve chewed on this idea, the word “capacity” stands out most to me.
As women, we tend to be so ‘other’ focused, that our whole identity and capacity for loving tend to be wrapped up in how we have been seen, heard, or loved by others. Given the brokenness of our world and the self-centeredness of the human heart, it is no wonder women bear the brunt of our limited capacities for genuine love, care, and holding. Nevertheless, this is not our destiny, and it is possible to come to a place of fullness, forgiveness, and understanding of where we have come from, as well as how we are in control of where we are going.
As I think about all things flowers—growth, being rooted and grounded, and the uniqueness of every person’s timeline to bloom—Hayley Williams’ 2020 song, “Roses/ Lotus/ Violet/ Iris,” has been coming to mind often. In the song, Williams is learning what it means to find clarity in her own path, seeking worth and validation from within rather than comparing herself to others. She sings of coming to terms with her codependency with the men in her life: “I myself was a wilted woman, Drowsy in a dark room, Forgot my roots, Now watch me bloom.” She continues with a palpable resolve to move past the life she once had, towards a future that is bright and beautiful:
And I will not compare
Other beauty to mine
And I will not become
A thorn in my own side
And I will not return
To where I once was
Well, I can break through the earth
Come out soft and wild
Williams sings an anthem highlighting the beauty- in- diversity of every person’s path, cleverly crafting the lines in her chorus which convey multiple meanings for the listener:
Roses, roses, roses, roses, roses
Show no concern for colors of a violet
Lotus, lotus, lotus, lotus, lotus
Hopes it won't spark
Envy in your irises
As Williams invites us, every woman needs to find and own their incredible gift that is herself. Like the diversity of floral blooms that invite a diversity of life to spring forth in the garden that is our Earth, women are called to bring into full bloom a new world of reconciliation and peace, by standing in the unique goodness of who we were created to be.
If you were moved and inspired by the invitation to bloom as a whole and beautiful woman, take the opportunity to sign up for the Awaken Retreat this December 3-6th in Colorado Springs, CO. Early bird special ends November 19th. Join the sisterhood of women like you who want to bloom fully and unapologetically this year!