Monday, April 22, 2024

Bloom Where I'm Planted

 


Recently a friend asked me why I was happy living back in the United States when before I was planning to continue traveling in Europe, SE Asia and India. After a short pause I replied, reflexively, that I bloom where I am planted.

There are many interests that I can pursue no matter where I am. To be sure self-inquiry can be done anywhere. Once I have a bicycle and/or a motorcycle the world of travel opens up to me and my days are filled with wonder. Interactions with people are easy. A smile. A kind word and conversations open up in unexpected ways. 

Later in the conversation they said that this reminds them of a quality they have seen in me. That of being stable in my life; firm on my feet, as it were. Of course, this isn't how I perceive myself and can understand this interpretation given my inner sense of being. Always following the next right thing is the secret to this. One always knows what is not right although we may choose to act on it anyway. If it is the right thing then I am content with my action no matter what the outcome. It may cause difficulties to be sure. However, that requires discernment to evaluate the next right action, not regret the initial choice. 

The metaphor begins to break down when actions take us to another geographic location which happens continually when I am traveling. Anyway, I believe the intention of the saying is clear enough.