In order for a new bud to bloom you must first cut off the old one.

I heard and interesting thing today about Hyacinths, a flowering pant that  bears vibrantly colored petals and has a sweet aroma. The person who I was talking with went on and on about the resilience of the flower and how it can even bloom in snow. But it is this statement that gave me pause, “The Hyacinths will only bear a new bud after the old one is cut off.” Mmmm, how very interesting… It is an excellent picture of life, of moving forward, of growth. Like the Hyacinth we too can only bloom again when we are willing to cut off what keeps us from growing. You can’t move forward holding on to the past. I have been slowly learning that in the past few months. I am in the process of preparing to move, and it has been scary because I will have to let go of a lot. Friends, job, environment all are things that I have grown accustomed to, all have played an important role (be it good or bad) in my development up till now. So the thought of letting it all go is bittersweet. Just thinking about it now makes me want to tear up. But today when I heard the statement about the Hyacinth I felt that still small voice that speaks to my soul say, “Look at the Hyacinth. See the vibrant colors, smell the sweet aroma and know in order for this to happen it has to be willing to let go of the past in order to embrace its future. You must do the same.”

“Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God'” (Luke 9:62).

So what’s the plan? Let go, move forward.