Who Helped You Find Your Way?
🌼 Jill's Bright Spot
This Week's Bloom 🌸
Aster — Love • Patience • Wisdom
The little aster blooms as summer gives way to fall, reminding us that every season brings someone—or something—to help brighten the way.
Have you ever wondered how birds know where they're going? Seriously.
Every fall, millions of birds begin their annual migration south. Butterflies and hummingbirds are making their journeys too. Some travel hundreds—even thousands—of miles.
No GPS or Google Maps.
Not even a helpful voice saying, "Recalculating..." when they make a wrong turn.
There's something rather amazing about these feathered creatures knowing when it's time to leave and somehow finding their way to where they need to be.
It got me thinking about how we find our way.
Unlike those migrating birds, I don't think most of us instinctively know exactly where we're headed. Life has far too many unexpected turns for that.
We change careers or move. We marry, raise children and we lose people we love. We meet new friends and we start over. Sometimes we're quite certain of our direction—and other times we're just hoping the road we're on eventually leads somewhere familiar.
But when I look back over my own life, I realize I never really traveled it alone.
There were people along the way who helped point me in the right direction.
Parents who offered wisdom—although there were probably times when I was absolutely certain I knew more than they did. Funny how much smarter our parents become as we get older!
Teachers who encouraged us, friends who listened, a spouse who walked beside us.
Perhaps even a stranger whose kindness arrived on exactly the day we needed it.
And sometimes, when there wasn't another person showing us the way, there was that quiet little voice inside telling us, Keep going. You're going to be okay.
Call it faith. Grace. Love. Intuition. The Holy Spirit.
Whatever name speaks to your heart, I believe there are moments when we simply feel gently nudged in the direction we're meant to go.
Maybe that's why watching nature can teach us so much.
The birds don't seem worried about having the entire journey figured out before they begin.
They just start flying.
Perhaps we don't need to have everything figured out either.
Maybe we simply need enough faith to take the next step—and enough gratitude to recognize the people who have helped us along the way.
And if we happen to make a wrong turn?
Well...
There's always "recalculating." 😉
🌼 Before We Turn the Page...
This week, think about one person who helped you find your way. Maybe it was years ago. Maybe it was yesterday.
Send them a note, give them a call, or tell them "You made a difference in my life."
And then keep your eyes open.
There may be someone crossing your path right now who could use a little encouragement finding theirs.
Sometimes we follow the way or sometimes we help guide the way.
Either way, none of us has to make the journey alone.
❤️ A Little Birthday Bright Spot
Before I go this week, I have two very special Bright Spots to celebrate!
Today is my oldest daughter's birthday. Happy Birthday, my darling! Being your mom has been one of the greatest blessings of my life, and I hope your day is filled with all the love and happiness you deserve.
And tomorrow, October 8th, I get to celebrate another favorite person—my husband! Happy Birthday to the man who has shared so many of life's adventures with me and still manages to make me smile along the way.
Two birthdays in two days?
That's a whole lot to be grateful for. ❤️🎂
Happy Birthday to you both. I love you!
Many Blessings and Blossoms,
~ Jill ~