04/11/2025
Dear Friends,
Not long ago, I was on a beautiful, picturesque drive to pick up my daughter from school. As I came to a stoplight, I paused, waiting for it to turn green. I glanced to my right and noticed a white car next to me, and my eyes were immediately drawn to its license plate: 617.
June 17th is my mom’s heavenly birthday.
In that moment, I felt her presence so clearly—like she was right there with me. As I took a breath and looked around, something else caught my eye: a vibrant shrub bursting with radiant yellow flowers. I was so captivated by its beauty that I pulled out my plant identification app, and discovered it was Bougainvillea. Though it's a common plant here in California, I learned something new: Bougainvillea comes in an array of stunning colors—pink, purple, red, orange, yellow, and white.
Then, a voice from deep within me spoke clearly:
“Don’t settle into what you already know. You’re here to grow. Comfort and routine are lovely, but they can also lead to stagnation. It’s time to step out of your shell—explore, evolve, expand.”
That message hit home.
I’ve realized that while I enjoy the comfort of routines, there’s a part of me that’s craving discovery. I want to learn more about plants, birds, the world around me. I want to explore new hobbies, develop new skills, and tap into different aspects of life that I haven’t yet discovered. I love where I am in life—it feels familiar and safe—but it also feels like a small corner of something much bigger. I know now that I need to make space for that exploration, even in the midst of a busy life.
Sound familiar?
If you're reading this, I invite you to do something new or different today—no matter how small. Stay curious. Let yourself explore. Learn. Play. Even as we age, we can always reconnect with that inner sense of wonder.
Try taking a new route on your walk. Visit a park you've never been to with your kids or grandkids. Reach out to an old friend. Try a new recipe, dance, take a new class, listen to a different music that you can enjoy, or pick up a creative craft that you’ve never attempted. Let your inner child lead sometimes—give it space to be curious, silly, and free.
Take a quiet moment today. Sit down, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths. Ask for guidance—from the Divine, from your heart, or a higher presence you connect with. What are you being pulled toward? Trust that first nudge, especially if it fills you with warmth or excitement.
As you try something new, reflect on what it brings into your life:
Does it bring you joy?
Does it energize your inner child?
What are you learning?
How might you share that light with those around you?
For me, my journey starts with plants and birds. With the warmer weather returning, I’ll be using my app to discover new plant species and pay closer attention to the world blooming around me. A dear friend of mine is a bird enthusiast—she can even tell different species of hummingbirds apart just by sight and even sound. I’m so excited to learn from her and dive deeper into this new passion.
And just as I was writing this very post, a large grasshopper appeared outside my second-story office window—watching me from the wall. I smiled. It felt like a little wink from nature. A confirmation that this message was meant to be shared.
So now I turn it over to you:
What’s something new you’ve tried lately—or want to try?
Share in the comments below. Set a time. Make the commitment. It doesn’t have to be big. Just intentional.
This journey of discovery connects us more deeply to ourselves, to others, and to the greater consciousness that surrounds us. Let yourself be inspired by the beauty in the world—you’re part of it, after all.
With love, light, and curiosity,
Dorothy the Medium❤️
