01/31/2026
Good morning everyone!
The Story: The Resting Sunflower
In the heat of mid-summer, a large, vibrant sunflower followed the sun from east to west every single day. It was bright, energetic, and stood tall. But as autumn approached, the sunflower stopped turning. It bowed its heavy, seed-filled head toward the ground and stayed that way, even when the sun was shining.
A young seedling asked, "Why have you stopped turning to the light? Have you lost your shine?"
The older sunflower replied, "I have not lost my shine, I am just resting."
It explained that during the long, sunny days, it grew tall and bright. But if it only focused on the sun, it would burn out. By bowing its head and turning inward, the sunflower was taking time to mature, producing seeds, and nurturing new life from within.
"It is okay to not shine all the time," the sunflower whispered. "Sometimes, the most important work happens when you are quiet and facing the ground, rather than constantly looking for the sun."
The Lessons
Rest is Productive: Like sunflowers that stop tracking the sun, humans need to stop "chasing the light" to recoup and recover.
Embrace the Darkness: Even in the dark, the sunflower knows where the sun is and waits for it, knowing that the sun will return.
Value in Maturity: As sunflowers age, they stop chasing the sun and turn East, trusting in the cycle of life. This teaches that it is okay to change how you react to life as you mature.
Internal Growth: The time spent "not shining" is when the seeds are formed, allowing for new growth and purpose.
“Shine when you are able, but don't burn yourself out by trying to be happy all of the time. All of life retreats sometimes, and new life takes place from within.”