Spring Has Sprung: Planting Hope and Possibility in the Proverbial “Garden of Life”
As cliché as it may sound—spring has sprung. And with it comes that familiar yet powerful feeling of renewal. There’s something about this time of year that nudges us to pause, reflect, and reawaken. Much like the earth itself, it’s our opportunity to shed the dormancy of winter and lean into the light—into growth, into the unknown, and into possibility.
You see, winter can be a season of stillness, even loss. Plants wilt. Trees look bare. The world quiets down. But that doesn’t mean everything is gone—it means life is simply waiting. The question is: what do we do with that waiting?
We can sit in the loss and wonder why the blossoms didn’t come when we expected them. Or—we can accept that what’s passed is past, and look ahead. We can choose to see spring not just as a change in season, but as a metaphor for our lives: a fresh start, a reminder that growth happens in waves, and that beauty often follows stillness.
A Visit to the Garden Center
I took that symbolism to heart recently on a trip to the local nursery, Roger’s Garden, one of the best local nursery/garden in Southern California. There’s something so grounding about walking through rows of plants, soil underfoot, the air filled with promise. I had one mission in mind: to create a butterfly garden.
Butterfly gardens are more than just beautiful—they’re living symbols of transformation. From tiny caterpillars to winged wonders, butterflies represent the very essence of growth, change, and blooming into who you’re meant to be.
To attract butterflies, especially monarchs, I picked up a variety of pollinator-friendly plants, with a special focus on milkweed plants. If you didn’t know, milkweed is essential for monarch butterflies—it's the only plant their caterpillars can eat. Without it, monarchs can't complete their life cycle. Planting milkweed isn’t just pretty—it’s an act of care, of creating space for something delicate and powerful to thrive.
Here’s what I brought home from the garden center:
🌿 Narrowleaf Milkweed – vital for monarch survival
💜 Lavender – soothing scent and nectar-rich
🌼 Lantanas – bright and loved by all pollinators
🍊 Marmalade Bush – vibrant orange blossoms for contrast
🍋 Fizzy Lemonberry Pansies – playful and sweet
🎀 Nemesias – soft pops of color
🔮 Salvia – pollinator magnet
🦋 Butterfly Bush – the name says it all
💙 Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower) – delicate and unique
🔔 Platycodon (Balloon Flower) – whimsical, a joy to watch bloom
🌸 A mix of perennials and annuals, chosen intentionally to keep color and nectar going throughout the season
Each plant has its role, just like every phase of our lives has a purpose—some to bloom right now, others to root in and return later, stronger.
Planting Seeds of Growth
As I begin the planning for the butterfly garden, I can’t help but think about the parallels to our own journeys. What if we treated our hearts like a garden? What if we tended to it, gave it sunlight, pulled out the weeds of doubt and fear? What if we trusted that even in uncertainty, something beautiful is on its way?
Because here’s the truth: uncertainty is scary. But that’s also the magic of it. It’s where transformation happens. Where we step into the unknown and find out just how much we’re capable of blooming.
A Gentle Invitation to You
So wherever you are in your journey—whether you're still thawing from a hard winter, or already feeling the warmth of spring—let this be your reminder:
You are not stuck. You are not behind. You are simply in season.
Let go of what didn’t bloom. Leave the dried stems behind. And look forward to the blossoms ahead.
Plant something new—literally or metaphorically. It could be a butterfly garden, a new habit, a fresh mindset, or a small act of kindness. Each is a seed of hope.
Because the blooms you see now?
They're proof that beautiful things are still possible.
And the best part? You get to find out what’s next. 🌱🦋
Ready to plant your own season of growth?
Tell me—what are you letting go of, and what are you planting instead?
