Trips that Ignite Hope During Uncertain Times
This year has been one of many trips for me, both business and personal. And this latest trip to Charleston, South Carolina, for business has caused me to do much reflecting. Charleston is significant for its well-preserved colonial architecture, its historical importance as the location of the first Civil War battle at Fort Sumter and its rich cultural heritage, which includes a vibrant arts scene and unique culinary traditions. It is also famous for many additional firsts in America such as the first public library, museum and playhouse. As a person who enjoys the arts and loves to learn, it made me especially reflect on the second step of the Faremouth Method™, “Ask Better Questions.”
I've been asking myself how we can seek the light in perhaps the dark moments we are all experiencing during these uncertain times. Then I thought of dandelions.
Dandelions are masters of survival. They can take root in places that seem almost miraculous, and I believe we all can do that, too. We can survive the most difficult situations as masters of survival.
As a recruiter in the midst of so much change in the job market, what lessons could dandelions impart to help people deal with these tough times? We are all wishing that the uncertainty would be over and we could resume life as normal. Dandelions do have a legend that relates to blowing on the dried flowers and thinking about dreams coming true as the seeds blow in the air, sending our hopes in all directions. There are more lessons we can glean from our friend the dandelion, and I thank my sweet Grandmother Mimi for sharing her wisdom about them and more when I was a child. As I try to deal with all the changes in the job market and beyond, I recall the many lessons I learned from her. Things I resisted as a young girl. Habits I adopted as I grew into adulthood and ways of being that I am just now coming to understand.
I remember one hot summer day sitting on the front porch with Mimi, who lived next door. As we looked out over the lawn, I told her that I was noticing all the dandelions. She said that dandelions, or cicoria, as she called them in her Italian slang, were quite possibly the most successful plants that exist, masters of survival worldwide.
She told me that in current times they are the most unpopular plant and considered a weed, but it wasn’t always that way. In earlier times, the golden blossoms with lion-toothed leaves were praised as a bounty of food, medicine and magic.
I remember her picking the cicoria with a long paring knife, washing them and eating them like salad. She told me the vitamins in them were unique, and if you ate them often it would clean out your liver and keep you healthy. In her youth, Mimi always wanted to be a nurse to explore her healing potential. She also had a big garden in her backyard, planting what would nurture her body and eating what came out of her nutritious garden. She was never in the hospital and never had any serious illness, living to the ripe age of almost 90. Besides her diet of healthy food for her physical body, she had a heart of gold and was all about love and helping others, and that enhanced her mind and spirit as well.
Let’s look at some of the magical, meaningful lessons I learned from dandelions and my grandmother, and how those lessons might be applied during these challenging times:
1. Dandelions are masters of survival. How can we make a determined effort to master our own survival through so much change and uncertainty? Stay strong, focused and ready to become the best version of ourselves we could ever imagine. How can we plan to survive this experience and come out on the other side much more enriched, with an expansive attitude and mindset?
2. Dandelions are more nutritious than most of the vegetables available. Maybe we could try an herbal tea on occasion to keep our immune system strong. Eating the right food with better nutrition for our bodies and minds is so important for becoming our best self.
3. Dandelions are world famous for their beauty. They were a common and beloved garden flower in Europe and the subject of many poems. How can we find beauty in what might be looked upon as the weeds in our life? Can we take classes, learn how to meditate or do yoga, to cultivate our own inner beauty? The answer might be by investing in online classes to enrich our mind, soul and heart to make a contribution to the greater good.
4. Find joy in the moment. Appreciate your relationships. What can you do right now to find your own joy? Perhaps call that old friend you haven't talked to in a while and check on them. Can you pull out those old love letters and read them one more time? Can you tell your son or daughter how proud you are for the person they have become and how they've helped you with a special project, taking time away from their own endeavors?
This trip to Charleston really made me ask myself a lot of questions and reflect on what the people of that area experienced, especially at Fort Sumter. Let the lessons and strength of the dandelion and my wise sweet grandmother allow you to focus on your inner light. Don’t forget to make the wish of dandelion lore as you are using your strength and working hard in your quest to make that wish come true. And if you get a chance, try to visit an art gallery or read a new book!
