Welcome to “Athlos” a weekly blog which examines pillars of personal excellence and regularly brings together the worlds of Christian spirituality and sport.
Bloom
“Grow flowers of gratitude in the soil of prayer”-Pray More, Worry Less (Prayer Journal)
Beauty
Beauty is all around us. If you look intently enough you will see majesty and splendour virtually everywhere you turn. This may seem incredible given the barrage of negative news that we receive daily, but I hold the view that grace and goodness are all around us.
Flowers bloom in the right environment. If the soil is right and the roots are deep, beauty comes forth. Isn’t it the same with life? Our environment shapes our character. We become like those we surround ourselves with. The type of soil matters. If your closest associates are joyful, positive and thankful, you are likely to imitate them, even without thinking about it. If, by contrast, the people closest to you are cynical, negative and gloomy, you may adopt a similar posture, often unknowingly. The environment counts.
I am reminded regularly that both attitude and atmosphere affect the lenses through which we see life. Consider the recent amazing exploits of Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell, who literally on one foot took his team to the most unlikely of victories against Afghanistan at the current World Cup in India. His courage, resilience and skill were breath-taking. This was beauty in motion, albeit limited motion in this case, for the injured Maxwell. Many of us, you see, are aware of the Australian culture of ‘never-say-die.’ This is part of the topsoil in which Australians cultivate their national identity.
If your soil consists of humility, simplicity and prayer, flowers of gratitude will grow. When you are intentional about seeing what is noble, wholesome and true both in life and in others, flowers of integrity will grow. If we choose rest and restoration in the midst of life’s chaotic demands, flowers of transcendence and spirituality will blossom, taking us beyond the mundane and reminding us that life is bigger than us. This is fertile soil.
Brilliance
Create the right environment for flowers of brilliance to grow in your life.
If you were inspired by this blog, please consider sharing it with one other person today. To learn more about these and other related themes that promote the cultivation of an integrated inner self, read UNBEATABLE! which is available on Amazon in print and as an e-book.
This Post Has 4 Comments
Beauty and bloom are also found in the places of deepest hurt and loss. With my sister’s passing I’m bought into the realization that the human heart is first kind and generous and responsive to the pain of others.
The beauty that has overwhelmed my family because of the empathy of others is nothing short of tremendously amazing!
The beauty of the human spirit is contagious, we feed from one another.
Gratitude for the simplest things is important. It is easier to vent but the reminder to create the right environment and surround myself with the right people is very helpful. So I must be grateful for what I have in hand. If more comes, great but if it doesn’t come, still be grateful and. keep it simple right now. Thank you.
I appreciate this, Michelle. Thank you.
This is so true, Pat. Hal’s journey and your response to her passing have been full of beauty and grace. Thank you.