Flowers Over Bricks: Part 2

“You are not a burden for having burdens that you are learning to lay down. You are not a failure for not reaching the heights you thought you’d reach by now.” ~ Morgan Harper Nichols 

In our last reflection, we discussed a mental image to use as a strategy to explore the conscious or subconscious “weight” we carry. The idea is: Bricks in a Backpack. (If you missed Part 1, I encourage you to read our previous reflection.) We ended by asking the question (among other reflection questions): How do you change this pattern of placing metaphorical bricks in your backpack instead of noticing the flowers around you?

While there is no easy answer to this question, I believe you are invited to begin with an honest conversation with yourself, noticing these tendencies. As Morgan Harper Nichols writes, You are not a burden for having burdens you are learning to lay down. Any guilt or shame or blame that accompanies this weight can be released. You don’t need to carry those things as well. 

Then you make the decision to take the bricks out of the backpack and bring them out in an open, trusted space. When your arms are too weak to lift the bricks, you may need to ask for help. Perhaps journaling, therapy, spiritual worship, or a blending of these things can provide you with support, comfort, and encouragement during this process. Over time and continual attention to these areas in your life, I believe you will find the freedom to turn your eyes to the flowers and pause to smell the roses in your midst.