The President's Message 6/20/22

“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.” -Luther Burbank

This is possibly one of the best things I’ve read all week. Mr. Burbank touches on my sentiments exactly. Flowers are one of the greatest gift you can give a person. Their beauty and your thoughtfulness can make a huge impact on someone’s attitude, outlook on a situation or even themselves. We can uplift people using one of the smallest beauties in all of creation.

Keeping with our theme of the gardens of our hearts, words are the flowers, water and sunshine a soul needs to thrive. A kind word or uplifting conversation can empower someone with a heavy heart. Everywhere we go, we will ultimately come in contact with someone who has been fighting a battle we know nothing about.

The nasty server at the restaurant who lost a loved one the day before, the quiet cashier at the grocery store who doesn’t tell you the total but has his hand out for payment. Each person has a load to carry. Our words can stir up a warmth they desperately may need. A compliment on their hair, their nails or even just saying how glad you were to meet them can make a difference. Sharing with them how everything will work out no matter what the circumstance can shine the light their soul needs so fiercely.

Tending to the gardens of our hearts and the hearts of others can seem overwhelming at times. One way I overcome these difficult times is to think about something meaningful, happy or positive. We can easily go down the rabbit hole of feeling sorry for ourselves, feeling empathetic for someone else with no solution to their plight or our own.

Thinking about the good things around us help us to realize we have a lot to be grateful for. This is not a cure-all for the worst unthinkable moments in our lives. Sometimes, we just need a good cry! That is okay too. Tears are the water for our souls. With each tear, we are healing and growing.