To see April on my calendar immediately brings a smile to my face. I think of Magnolia Trees.  

The day after we got the keys to a house that my husband and I had purchased, we walked up the driveway to the most magnificent Magnolia tree in full bloom. We had no idea that the bare tree would turn into such a beautiful sight.  

It lasted a fleeting week before losing its flowers to the ground. I looked forward to its next bloom every single time that I looked at it. It reminded me of the warm sun on my face as I walked out of the house without a jacket after the long, dark and cold Minnesota winter.  

Years later we were at one of our favorite local garden centers picking plants for our new house. I saw a couple choosing a Magnolia tree that was in full bloom to bring home. I could not help but to strike up a conversation about the stunning tree. That these blooms were my favorite part of spring. I then told them that the tree will only look that way for one, maybe two weeks of the year.  

They looked at each other and put the tree back. And honestly, I had so much respect for their decision.  

Before planting that tree in the ground, the needed to decide if they were in it for the long haul. Were they committed to the 51 weeks that lead to the 1 week of blossoms?  

It makes me think of my commitment to my goals.  

Is what I am working towards worth the “51 weeks” of working and waiting? When I get the “bloom”, how will I be present and appreciate it? 

And it’s a great reminder that you can’t expect working towards your goals to be sunshine and Magnolia blossoms all of the time.  

Today was one of those days, actually, this week was one of those weeks. I just wasn’t feeling quite like myself and really didn’t feel like writing. It was more like one the days that I was cleaning the dead and sticky flower petals off my driveway.  

And it turning April made me smile, thinking of how I need to keep committed, consistent and focused to someday see my “bloom”. 

Happy Spring and Inspiration my Friends.