Dialogue Time: Blossoming into More

San Diego reached its annual rainfall total by mid-February of this year.  The first plentiful rainfall in a number of years has reawakened the beauty of this region.  Not only are the skies clear, washed clean of distracting pollutants, but the deserts, mountains and canyons are beginning to burst with color that had been muted in recent years of drought.

The flower fields of Carlsbad are open.  The desert blooms are attracting people from the cities.  The Cherry Blossom Festival is this week.  And, purple Jacaranda trees will provide color for the next few months.
 
Rain and cooler weather are necessary to bring forth this colorful bounty.

Desert blooms:
abundant rains have carpeted the desert with flowers

Through the rhythm of sun and rain — warmth, water, and nutrients — organic newness springs forth from the ground.   In a similar fashion, dialogue requires continual feeding:  paying attention; practicing dialogue skills; and nurturing relationships.

Listening to a friend, asking questions of a colleague, and understanding differing views or values creates a newness or a reawakening in our interactions.

Cherry blossoms:
celebrating the fragility and beauty of life

Relationships -- when left unattended -- have a pattern: they may run smoothly for a time; hit some rough spots; and go dormant.  What if we were to break through this automatic cycle and look at what is needed right now?  What would it be like if we acknowledged the beauty and fragility of each life... each relationship... each moment?

Maybe it is time to:

• Contact a family member or friend who has gone silent for too long. 
• Reach out to a work colleague where differences remain unresolved. 
• Bridge gaps of misunderstanding that have disrupted the norm.

Jacaranda trees:
purple blossoms color the canopy above

I look forward to Spring when the exotic Jacaranda trees add to the neighborhoods and downtown skyline.  For a few short months, our environment is transformed into a purple canopy which draws our gazes upward.

I believe that we can be transformed through our dialogue practices.  A canopy of non-violence can cover us when we attempt to understand.  The color of our views can change or soften the harshness of our stances and obstacles.  Old and dried petals will fall below our feet as we step forward, reach out, and accept one another.

Questions to consider:

• What do you need to blossom and grow? 
• How do you draw forth the beauty around you?
• When are you reminded of our fragile relationships?
• What canopy draws your gaze upward?

As we move closer to the Spring months, may we become open to the Beauty Around and Within.

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

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