The Story of a Sunflower, Mr.Jared, and YOU

Sunflower seeds… birds’ favorite! A hungry Cardinal lands in the tray feeder, sloppily & happily cracking open seed after seed to enjoy the goodness inside. Every few seconds he pops up and looks around, keeping an eye out for danger. Coast is clear… what a lovely Spring day. Time for more seeds! Yum.

A bush nearby moves, the Cardinal pops up again… a cat! In a flash of red, the seed-loving snacker bolts up to the top of a nearby tree before HE becomes the snack! 

As he flew, sunflower seeds scattered. Most are quickly gobbled by sparrows after the cat leaves. But one tucks in just right in the soil. The seed senses the dirt & moisture, slowly but surely sending out roots.

A day later: leaves! Two cute, succulent leaves stretch to the sky. A weed whacker approaches, to clear the tall grass around the bird feeder… but the operator recognizes the sunflower seedling. The baby flower is spared.

Weeks go by, the seedling grows quickly in the rain and building heat of May. Leaf after sandpaper-y leaf unfurls as the sunflower slowly builds up like a miniature skyscraper. 

Come June, plenty of flowers are blooming already in the yard: Yarrow sends up a saucer of white, domestic and wild roses put on their show, strawberries are already fruiting and feeding people and bunnies alike… Sunflower patiently grows taller.

At night, fireflies dance throughout the yard, their glow entrancing the family. June rolls into July and the floral procession continues: Blazingstars stand in their purple glory as Scarlet Beebalm bursts in red fireworks, bringing hummingbirds and swallowtail butterflies. Sunflower grows taller, tracking the sun with its leaves… still only a green stem and leaves among a rainbow of other blooms. Herds of Leafhoppers gather under the Sunflower’s leaves, guarded and tended by their Ant farmers.

Soon comes August. Acorns continue to swell on the Oaks, preparing for their Autumn journey to the ground. Blackeyed Susans, Prairie Sundrops, Scarlet Beebalms have all gone to seed, their job done for the year. Sunflower’s almost ready. And then: showtime! 

Sunflowers bud finally opens, revealing a sunny, cheerful and large yellow flower with a beautiful geometric center... And just in time, too! Bumblebees, suffering from a sickness, relish the Sunflower’s pollen, which serves as a medicine for what ails them. Hundreds of Bees, butterflies, even a hummingbird all visit and are grateful for Sunflower’s “late” pollen & nectar. Once pollinated, Sunflower’s head turns to a collection of delicious black seeds, just in time for the Goldfinches. As one hungry visitor flies from Sunflower’s head, a seed falls to the ground… tucking perfectly into the soil below.

What did Sunflower do? Patiently grow, provide for others, and bloom in its time at its pace, giving its unique gifts to all around it.

What did Sunflower NOT do? Get impatient, rush, compare itself to the others, give up.

Sunflower’s story is my story: I felt confused and “behind”, felt like my growth and “blooming” was taking forever… or maybe was never coming! But, here I am now, having discovered my passion and getting to live it out as a school naturalist! I’m so grateful every single day that this is my job!

Sunflower’s story can be your story too: you have a unique gift for the world that’s waiting to bloom… and it’s not too late! I wonder what that gift is?

I did the following exercise from author Jamie Winship to help me figure it out for me, maybe you can try it too:

Step 1:

Make a list of all the negative names others or yourself have called you. Examples: liar, not smart, selfish, etc. This list will be shockingly quick and easy to make. We are told and then agree with these accusations daily.

Step 2:

Imagine handing that list to an embodiment of true love, however you picture that. What would they do with it?

Step 3:

Finally, ask true love to tell you your real names? Your real gifts? Who are you really?

Step 4:

Now, what areas of your life do those names experience the most freedom? If they don’t, how could they?

This simple exercise was huge for me and my wife. I wonder what it can do for you? If you’d want to share, send me a message on Instagram @jaredthenatureguy. 

Remember:

You’re a gift to the world! And so is everyone else! The world equally needs Cardinals, Dragonflies, Violets and Waterfalls…. And the world needs you. Be you!

One last thing:

While I have you, come join me and others July 26 9:30-11 at Highbanks Metropark for a nature adventure! We’ll meet by the playground in the Big Meadows area. We’ll explore, play games, and celebrate the unique gifts of all the plants and critters! Signup via Venmo by sending $15 per family to @Jared-Goodykoontz. Spaces are limited!