The Season of Wildflowers
July 9, 2008 9:12 am Living MetaphorsI can identify with wildflowers. In the brighter and more colorful part of my season the blooms can be inspiring and even creative. Just as the wildflower I have cycles that determine how I am viewed and how I view my own behavior. There seems to be a period directly before I develop hypo manic behaviors in which my right brain kicks into gear and the natural part of me is creative and can occasionally create beautiful images. Like wildflowers, I may then turn into a weed. It may require that I take medication to keep the weeds from overtaking me.
Some folks in our culture strive for neatly displayed annual and perennial flowers and they work hard to eradicate weeds. They forget the simplest of the blooms of the wildflower and dismiss the season of beautiful flowers. The weeds are pulled out and toxins are used to kill the plant. In a similar manner our culture is not welcoming of the hypo manic behaviors and they may even be apprehensive that we will get out of control and overtake their orderly and neatly organized life. These same folks may support the use of harmful medications to keep life orderly, ordinary and safe for them.
July 9th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Annie,
What a great simile–comparing wildflowers with hypomania. You’re right that some people don’t like it because they see it as uncontrollable. And even when it is controlled, it’s still different; too much energy, too much emotion, too much feeling.
But, for me, now that I can think of my hypomanias as wildflowers, it’s a wonderful life-affirming image. Thank you!
Susan
July 9th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Annie,
I know I have told you this before, but I have to tell you again – I LOVE your analogies so much! The thought of myself being a wildflower instead of one that is so properly trimmed, planted, and perfectly positioned, makes me smile. Want to know the best thing about wildflowers?? GOD CHOOSES where they grow, not people.
I am a daisy lover myself. I’ve heard many people call them a weed, and maybe, technically, they are, but I love them. Maybe it’s their freedom to grow wherever they want.
Great post, Annie.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Susan, I agree it is life-affirming to think of ourselves as wildflowers. Thanks for the comments.Peace, Annie
Pj- what an interesting thought that God places the wildflowers. A beautiful thought. Peace, Annie
July 9th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
As always a beautiful post Annie.
It made me think of the past 23 years – I was untreated and managing rapid cycling mixed episodes on my own. Without medication my main survival mechanism was to rigidly control everything in my life. If I was becomming too high I’d reduce the stimuli; too down and I’d increase the stimuli. I became hypervigilant over every little pathological nuance. It was exhausting. I was keeping my flowers in neat ordered borders. Now looking back I can see the determination of my spirit to have always been a wildflower.
I am now in the process of learning that I don’t have to douse the stimulating aspects of life with weedkiller ‘just in case’. I can relax and enjoy my own bright and sometimes weedy garden.
July 9th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
C- What thought provoking and sensitive comments. I managed my rapid cycling symptoms in a very similar way. It is always helpful to have someone like you articulate shared experiences. Thank you! Peace Annie
July 9th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Annie,
I enjoy the interesting way you describe your experiences. I too can identify with the wildflower and weed experiences. It makes our life more colourful and fruitful in many wonderful ways that others may not experience or appreciate. Praise God for the ways He work sovereignly in our life. Thanks for all your prayers and encouragements. Have a blessed day!
In His grace,
Nancie
July 9th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
what a beautiful image!
i once almost had a falling-out with a dear friend, when she was helping me in the garden, pulling out too many weeds.
July 10th, 2008 at 7:28 am
I love wildflowers, too, and I love the idea of being a wildflower that some may see as a weed! I can relate to the idea that most people like their neat, orderly, weed-free rows of perennials, too. I always feel like an outsider among them, because my priorities are so different. Thank you for this beautiful analogy!
July 10th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Nancie, glad to have your comments. In God’s wisdom wildflowers give us so much joy! Peace, Annie
Isabella, Thank you for your comments. I agree that even weeds can be beautiful. Even if it is just that they are green.
Peace, Annie
Jazz- I like your comments. You are not an outsider with us. Just read the other comments and you can see how much you resonate with others! Peace, Annie
July 11th, 2008 at 9:03 am
I think that’s why I’m so comfortable in this blogging community we have built! I seem to have stumbled upon a wonderful group of like-minded people!
July 14th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
The old folks used to say, you’ve gotta take the good with the bad.
Now I think I know what they meant.
PS. Sorry if this appears multiple times, problems leaving a comment.