Seeking the Sun:: Etching Sunflower Vibes into your Life

I did a thing for my 33rd birthday. Two years in the making, but the history behind my love of the sunflower goes way, way back. 


woman's arm with a sunflower tattoo

When I was four, my mother and I roadtripped from Minot, North Dakota to Denver, Colorado to start a new chapter in our lives. En route, we drove near a field of sunflowers and, overwhelmed by how beautifully bright they were, I flung my car door open to reach for them. {1991… car seats and child locks were certainly not what they are now!}

This scared the bejeezus out of my mom as she screeched to a stop. After she screamed at me, I was disappointed that after my little stunt, she wouldn’t allow me to pluck a sunflower from the field.

I’ve loved those joyous flowers ever since.

Without understanding their nature, their tendencies, I loved them.

Now that I’m an adult, I feel sunflowers. They are a whole mood

Beautiful yet resilient. Sturdy but delicate. Taking in and giving out. 

In light of the challenging yesteryear, sunflowers have just the vibes for a positive rebound year ahead.  

Channel the sunflowers. 

Trumpet Life

Sunflower field with sun shining through

“I don’t think there’s anything on this planet that more trumpets life than the sunflower… Wherever the light is, no matter how weak, these flowers will find it. And that’s such an admirable thing. And such a lesson in life.” -Helen Mirren

Goodness. Yes.

How are you working to seek the sun every day? 

As this new year begins, we are granted a new opportunity to set a tone. Find the things that make you joyful, thankful, proud. Find the things that fill your spirit. Seek detoxification in 2021. Clear away as much mental weight and strain as you can. Rake away the weeds and nourishing new growth.  

No matter how faint the light may be, we need to find it. It’s there, always.

Emblem of Constancy

“The sunflower is a favorite emblem of constancy.” -Thomas Bulfinch

Constancy.

Loyal. Unwavering. Steadfast.

Sunflowers are forever bonded with the sun, taking its rays and mirroring them. We admire the flower’s constant commitment to its favorite star.

Intrinsically beautiful.

But more importantly, sunflowers absorb what they need first before sharing the sun’s nourishment. Sunflowers remember to remain loyal to themselves as well.

Bring that vibe to your own table. 

Even when your constancy tends to focus elsewhere, on the many suns in your life, remain devoted to your needs, your desires, your goals. This year and every year. 

Shadows Behind You

woman with hands raised in a field of sunflowers

“Turn your face to the sun, and shadows follow behind you.”– Maori Proverb

Whew, chills. I can’t read that without welling up a bit. Even during our tough year full of shadows, we were able to bask in some sunlight. 

We did have some fun here and there, didn’t we?

We had some moments, some laughs, some joy. It may not have been easy, but we managed.

Now, a new year. A clean slate. 

We have to keep up that “find the good” gusto. 

Keep the negativity behind us. If we are focused on all the greatness, the wins, the perfectly imperfect moments, we won’t even notice the shadows. 

Sunflowers Tried to Be Roses

“If roses tried to be sunflowers, they would lose their beauty; and if sunflowers tried to be roses, they would lose their strength.” –Matshona Dhliwayo

That. Is. A. Word! 

Sunflowers have no qualms about being what they are. They just are; take it or leave it. And from the looks of it, they’re pretty happy about it. 

How unbridled would we feel to simply accepted ourselves for who we are and challenge the world to deal with it?

We can. 
 
Honey, you rock! Because of who you are.
 
Be a sunflower. Be a rose. Be cactus if you want! But be. And be ok with it. 
 
Let’s protect ourselves from losing pieces of what make us who we are by trying to be something else. 
 
Regardless of whatever comes our way in 2021, we will not wilt. We will stand tall, proud, gracefully blooming and embracing the sun with the shadows at our backs. No “new year, new me.” Nope. Just a new year with us rockin’ our same amazing, capable, brilliant selves with a better outlook.

This is a sunflower year. 


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Ashley Black
Ashley KB was born in Long Beach, CA, but spent most of her childhood in Denver, CO. She was very athletic growing up, and she loved running track and playing volleyball. Ashley ventured to Oklahoma where she attended Langston University and transferred to the University of Central Oklahoma. Ashley graduated with an English degree from the UCO in 2011. Ashley was married to A.J. for six years... but it just didn't work out. And that's OK! They have three wild, precious, hilarious sons, Oliver {October 2012}, Maverick {August 2015} and Reeve {August 2017} who make life so incredibly meaningful. She also has a snuggly fur baby, Luna. In her free time, she can be found binge watching The Office {for the millionth time}, listening to inappropriate podcasts, or oversharing on Instagram @theofficialbossmama and her personal blog.

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