THE BEGINNING
HOW MY Heart LEAD ME TO FLOWERS.
For much of my life I tried to diminish the part of me that is nourished by beauty. I mistakenly believed that the world did not value this, and that I needed to focus on the “sensible path”. Oh, it was an internal battle that accompanied me every day. Then when travelling I was fortunate to visit the city of Florence. I felt overwhelming beauty and a connection to who I truly am, along with grief and sadness that I had lived so much of my life not allowing it or expressing it. It was a single day in that beautiful city, that I have not yet been able to visit again, but it stirred me to make changes in my life. Changes about starting to listen to and value who I am.
That day was fifteen years ago, and since then my life has changed much. I have learnt a great deal about myself. Not always easily, or comfortably, but now I would not change any part of it.
The dreaming of creating a life that is truer to who I really am, and the feelings around it sat with me. And even more strongly during our first lockdown in New Zealand. Then my eldest daughter serendipitously sent a link to information about studying floristry. My heart and intuition spoke such a loud clear yes to it. I felt lighter than I had in years. And so I started this new part of my life.
A quote that resonates about this feeling is from the wisdom of Mary Oliver’s “Wild Geese”.
“You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves”.
It’s about allowing ourselves to listen to what truly nourishes our hearts and following what deeply resonates. I think we all have times that we wonder if we are allowed to do what we love, especially so if what stirs you is a creative path. I am no exception, in fact I think I have doubted myself and what is possible for more decades than many (or at least some).
And one more perfect quote from Mary Oliver that resonates deeply for me and may for you too.
“The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave it neither power nor time.”
Now the parts of me that felt uncomfortable at best, ashamed at worst with how much beauty matters to me have found a safe place to land. I’ve learnt that most of all I needed to value those parts of myself. And trust them. I am always still learning, and that what I had seen as a weakness is really my strength and nourishment.
I now believe that the nourishment we gather from flowers and gardens is one that many people seek or want to explore. How time creating with flowers is incredibly good for the soul. It’s being in the moment and immersed in beauty. Every time I create, I feel this for myself, and I would love to invite you to share this with me. Allow me to send you details of how you can come to my small studio to create with me. Or join my newsletter to be the first to know when I have spaces available in an upcoming workshop. My newsletter will also have insights into my way of creating, what I grow in my cutting garden, seasonal updates about what is inspiring me and how that comes into my work.
A thank you for the kindness and support I have had to come to this place in my life. I could not have done it on my own. Nor would have wanted to, it’s the sharing with others that brings the most joy.
Kind wishes always,
Katherine Xx
“You have no idea how wonderful it is to come out of the dark frustration of being unable to crystallise such visions you may have, and to find suddenly a possible medium of expression.”
CONSTANCE SPRY