Sunflowers — an empowering metaphor.
A few moments of reflection on a vivid symbol — can boost our focus and strength in difficult times. Here’s an example…
Nature is an endless source of symbols. Mental symbolism can draw our thoughts to uplifting or guiding ideas when problems feel overwhelming. Symbols can represent powerful metaphors — stories that empower us to step out of perspective into another. A metaphor that is easy to picture in our minds can provide anchoring moments of peace or reassurance. One such symbol I use is the sunflower.
Sunflowers are incredibly resilient and are used around the world to repair soil damaged by compaction or pollution. They are even effective in removing radioactive contamination! This astounding power is proven nowhere better than their contribution to the healing of land around Chernobyl.
When I want to boost biodiversity rapidly in a depleted urban yard, sunflowers are one of my ‘magic’ tools. They attract diverse pollinators like butterflies, beetles and bees. Never far behind are the beneficial garden predators, like mantis and dragon flies.
Sunflowers are a good, rapid recovery food source after extreme weather events, supporting native wildlife including possums and parrots. As for human wellbeing, nothing is quite as cheerful as the giant, tousled head of a sunflower!
Sunflowers are native to Central America, originally cultivated by First Nations across that region. The Spanish introduced them to Europe in the 16th Century and by the 18th they had been selectively bread to produce more oil. They are now a hardy staple around the world.
When sunflowers are young they track the sun, but as they get older, they usually settle in position facing east. To me this is emblematic of life's journey, from a youthful mind — chasing sources of happiness — to a more settled approach. We learn to accept things we cannot change and save our energy for what matters most. We become more steadfast and equipped to wait patiently for the light that will inevitably follows a period of darkness.
