A Power Flowering - Miami!

We were a bit ecstatic last week when we found out that a Power Flower Friend took it upon herself to Power Flower in the name of PFP. Here is what she had to share. "I passed out tulips to folks in the park and at the metro stop after the march in Miami. Forty mixed interactions with strangers. I was anxious approaching people but was overwhelmed with happiness when met with gratitude and a hug ;)" Whew, all the feels. If you would like to join in and participate in our mission, head to our website and check out our Join Us page. #powerflowerproject #onwardwegrow

See this Instagram photo by @powerflowerproject

Our First Power Flower Pop-Up

The feelings and happenings in our country are BIG and FULL these days. Regardless of your beliefs on the changes that we are all experiencing, I think it's safe to say that the depth of feelings is vast! Last week I decided that I need to be proactive in creating as many GOOD feelings to surround me and to help generate a comfy cushion of support for all of the other feelings.

That's where the idea of the Power Flower Pop-Up was born. With the inauguration happening on Friday I felt like Power Flower Friday could be expanded on a bigger scale. Kindness generates kindness, and goodness knows WE NEED MORE OF THAT! So I put the invite out for a Thursday evening note writing gathering at my house and a Friday group Power Flowering. 

The response was beautiful! People SHOWED UP!  Thanks to them, I was able to feel the good and the uncomfortable and live to tell the tale.

Sitting in my living room Thursday evening, watching people I love writing notes to share with strangers was so heart stretching. As my mom said, The Energy in the room was effervescent! 

Friday, after all of the notes were tied on to the flowers, I loaded up kids and snacks. A big bucket of flowers and a wagon. We met up with my parents and a few other friends with their kids and took to the streets of downtown. I was nervous...realizing that when I am the organizer of something I actually have to be a leader. And that does not come comfortably to me! But as we got going, the nervousness wore off and the FUN started to sink in. 

We got many different responses...from hugs, to smiles, to "no thanks" and many opportunities to pay attention to how we reacted in return. One friend noted how interesting it was to see people's response after we walked away...not really sure what to do with the flower or if they should pass it on. It makes me realize how difficult it can be to simply receive without being asked for anything in return.  And hearing the "no thanks" gave me a great chance to check my ego.  I noticed how even though it was just a flower, being rejected opened the door for my defenses to come into action and the desire for my ego to bounce that hurt as quickly away from me as possible. Even though I smiled and went on to the next opportunity, my mind had to throw a little "well, fine then, you don't deserve this flower anyways." So, yes, even though this practice helps me tap into my compassion, empathy and kindness I am still human and it's important for me to continue to acknowledge that. It keeps me REAL!

All in all, the morning was positive and inspiring and affirming.  The best part about it? WE DID IT...a small group of people working together with the intention of sharing good vibes with PEOPLE...regardless of their gender, race, clothes, hair color or fashion sense. 

As we continue with this project, I am hopeful that these Pop-Ups will become more regular (and organized) and that this community, based on connection and respect, will flourish!

I am ever grateful for the Power Flower People who showed up...whether by being there in person or sending energy and cheering us on in their own way.  The love generated was REAL. 

Rainy Day...

Today - this rainy Monday, I feel like I'm trying to figure out what "normal" is after such an intense weekend in our country AND the branching out of Power Flowering. After the website went live and I wrote the first blog I realized that I was stepping out of what has become a comfort zone of this practice. Which is great! Because that means the practice that I put into place a year ago to help me find comfort in a really crappy time...WORKED! So now it's time to step out again, and cozy up with the discomfort of trying something new. And I'm excited. But today, I needed a reminder of that comfort. I needed to let myself know that whatever happens with The Power Flower Project and my big dreams, that the foundation is still there. The desire to do a simple act and recognize another human in regular, everyday life. So on the way home from preschool, after getting gas we stopped at the pump on the other side of the station where a young woman (wearing scrubs, I think) was filling her tank. I hoped out of the car, extended the flowers and said "I hope these bring some joy to you and you can share that with the rest of the world." And we both smiled. With that, the foundation was felt and I can move on with the day doing the things like figuring out "business" stuff without feeling so totally uncomfortable.

See this Instagram photo by @powerflowerproject * 10 likes

Power Flowers...where we started and where we are going

I carry around words of inspiration everywhere I go...

Our first official Blog post! I'm struggling with the anxiety of needing it to be the perfect post...just the right length, voice and attention grabbing details that are needed to secure the support of each and every reader. However, if I keep up with that train of thought...nothing will get written because nothing will be perfect enough. 

A couple of nights ago; as I was typing, deleting and retyping; I took a "break" (i.e. was stalling) and went to pick up my phone. As I did, I reread a print that I keep on my bedside table that a dear friend created. 

"The world needs your work now more than ever" - Robin Plemmons

So rather than trying to be perfect and something I'm not, I will let my heart do the talking.  Because that is what Power Flowering IS!  What started as a "survival practice" to get me through a really difficult time in my life has blossomed into a practice of healing and creating connection that I never thought possible. 

Because of the simple practice of sharing flowers, painting flowers, writing on flowers and talking about all of this - I am less scared of EVERYTHING in the world. This practice and connection to other humans gives me hope and the ability to keep mucking through when there are really bad days...in my small bubble AND in the bigger world around me. 

Through Facebook and Instagram I have been able to share these Power Flowerings and have allowed myself to see it from outside of my own bubble. And now, with the help and support from friends who are way more tech savvy than I am, we have this awesome website and blog! This project is a continuous journey, just like everything in our lives. It will ebb and flow, it will never be perfect, AND it will always be honest. 

I am excited, for one of the first times in my life my desire to share kindness and love is stepping forward to lead the way and allowing the fear of judgement and vulnerability to be comforted, just as it needs to be. 

High Fives to ALL and here we GROW!