I turned 40, can you believe that?

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the things I love, and one of those things is flowers. There’s something magical about them; the way they evolve, their colors, their fragrance, and the energy they give off to anyone who pauses long enough to admire them.

For my 40th birthday, I was blessed with not one, but two beautiful bouquets. I placed one in our kitchen and the other in the living room where I could enjoy them throughout the week. One morning, as I walked by, I noticed a few petals had fallen to the table beneath them.

That small moment stopped me.

Those petals reminded me of this new season of life I’m stepping into, of the things that have fallen away over the years. Petals can represent so many things: relationships, career opportunities, moments of grief, even people we’ve loved and lost. Sometimes, they symbolize shifts within ourselves like our mindset, our priorities, our dreams.

As I looked over those fallen petals, I felt a deep sense of peace. Because even as petals fall, something remains constant. The flower itself is still beautiful, still rooted, still giving off fragrance and life. And so it is with us.

When I reflect on the “petals” in my own life, the things that have fallen away; I’m reminded that love has been my constant. God’s love. Family love. The love that surrounds and sustains me even when seasons change.

As you think about your own petals, I invite you to pause and notice the constants in your life. What hasn’t changed over the years? Maybe it’s a person, a passion, a piece of yourself that’s remained true.

And if you can’t find anything constant, I encourage you to seek one to anchor yourself in something unshakable. For me, that constant is God, revealed in Jesus. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His love doesn’t fade or fall away like petals~it endures.

 So I’m celebrating turning 40 all month long. Celebrating fallen petals, growth, grace, and gratitude for the constants that hold us steady. Happy Birthday to me!

If this stirred something in you such as a desire to heal, grow, or reconnect with yourself, remember you don’t have to do it alone. Therapy offers a gentle space to explore your “fallen petals”. If you’ve been thinking about starting therapy, take this as your sign to invest in your well-being.

Healing hearts, minds, and relationships

LeCole Barnes, LCSW – Marryland Therapy & Consultation | North Little Rock, Arkansas | Online Therapy