Bloom where you are planted

My mother has often reminded me over the course of my life to "bloom where you are planted."  I've always taken this to mean that I should strive to do my best in all aspects of my life regardless of the situation.  I could be living in Maine, New York or Texas - and I should make the best of it.  I could be working in a job that isn't my "dream job" but I should still put forth my best effort.  It is a lesson I thought I understood and did a decent job of incorporating in my approach to Life.

There is more to this simple lesson that what appears on the surface.

A lot of sermons have been built on this simple old saying.  I'm sure many mothers have passed on this tidbit of wisdom to their children.  Many of us may have felt that we've taken it to heart and live our lives according to this tidbit of wisdom.  It wasn't until I saw Myrtle - I mean truly saw Myrtle - that I understood just what is meant by "bloom where you are planted."

This is Myrtle.

 Myrtle is a purple Dwarf Mexican Petunia that grows in the crack between the concrete of my carport and the base of my house.  I don't have Mexican Petunias planted anywhere in my yard.  My neighbor next door (Eula) does have purple and pink Mexican Petunias in her flowerbeds.  I suppose Myrtle decided that she needed her independence and somehow managed to end up in my carport. For the longest time I tried to get rid of Myrtle.   I never watered her.  Sometimes I attempted to pull her up, but she always came back.  Where Myrtle is planted gets little sun and little to no water.  She is alone - there are no other flowers to keep her company.  And yet, she blooms and survives.  A few days ago I saw that she had at least 5 blooms out.  This little flower has won my heart.

Myrtle has shown me that it's not just a matter of doing your best - it's also about fighting and struggling to overcome obstacles in order to show your worth.  It's about finding happiness in spite of struggles.  Myrtle has shown me that you have to keep trying, you don't give up, you dig in your roots in order to have the strength to bloom in the face of overwhelming odds.  And once you've bloomed - then you give it your all.  That bloom - so full of color - is like this burst of happiness.

Every morning when I go to my car I say hello to Myrtle.  Every morning I hear my mother's voice reminding me to "bloom where you are planted."  Every day I try to do just that.

All because of a Dwarf Mexican Petunia named Myrtle.

Do you bloom where you are planted?  Have you ever been planted somewhere you felt you had to struggle in order to bloom? How did you overcome that? What are some of your personal "fertilizers" - things that help you bloom brighter?