Japan’s Sakura Season & the Lesson I Brought Home
August 2023: Flights officially were booked. We were heading to Japan to follow the cherry blossoms (Sakura) in full bloom in March 2024.
March 2024: Hearts and minds were encapsulated by the excitement of finally being able to bear witness to the beauty of the Sakuras. To stand in awe and smell the sweet scent all over the landscape of Japan.
To our surprise, the moments of driving from the airport into Tokyo were flooded with confusion. Where were the cherry blossoms? Did we not plan accordingly based on predictions and forecasts for us to go the exact week we were there? “It was the weather,” we were told by locals. “The cherry blossoms are late this year and are likely to bloom next week.”
Looking at one another, we chose to let go of the uncontrollable and moved on with our travels. During our first week of adventure, we began to notice the blooms. Delicate and each with an intention to grow into something magnificent. We gravitated toward the realization we were to follow the blooms as they grew through their stages of blossoming. With each destination, the blooms flowered into their fullness and unapologetically took the time they needed before they were ready to be admired.
The lesson? I happen to learn this one time and time again: to slow down and go at your pace outside of external expectations. Check-in on the timeline you placed for yourself and ask if there is more time that is needed to assist the full bloom you have in mind. You deserve that full bloom. You worked hard for that full bloom. However, your blossoming period just might need some extra tender, love, and care as it prepares for the sweet glory of your full bloom. I chose to take this lesson home with me & have the cherry blossoms to thank for the reminder to take my time.
