Lately, there’s been something churning inside of me. A feeling that there’s something bigger going on.

Have you ever felt that? It’s a sensation that there’s more to what you’re doing than just going through the motions. More than just working, cleaning, watching, attending, singing, or learning. Like a bee retrieving pollin from flowers in order to make honey. He’s doing more than making honey, he is cross-pollinating and helping the flowers to flourish. Maybe he doesn’t know he’s doing it… but then again, maybe the bee has that churning inside of himself as well.

If you much about me, you probably have figured out that I’m an idea person. I think of myself as a BIG idea person though. I don’t like to aim low. I like BHAGS (Big Hairy Audacious Goals). The problem is that I often never reach the lofty goals (personal and professional) I set. I get discouraged by that sometimes. Then I hear someone say what they’ve seen me do as I was a busy bee chasing some big idea I never reached. I was trying to make a huge honeycomb, but had to settle for a small one. I was such a busy bee I did not notice all the flowers I cross-pollinated in the process. If I slow down for a moment and look around, I see the beautiful blooms around me. Something bigger was going on.

I’m not saying this to give myself some sort of pat on the back. The bee can’t really take credit for the side effects of him fulfilling his purpose. Actually, this is a reminder to myself as I currently have many friends, family, and colleagues who are dealing with serious, life-impacting issues. I sit and wonder whether or not I’ve done any good for them.

Maybe you’re a BIG idea person also. Take a moment to notice the roses in your life that you helped flourish… maybe unknowingly. Listen to the compliments that people pay you on your life, career, family, your encouragement that meant so much to them, the time you spent with them when they felt lost and alone. Don’t dismiss this. Accept them. Embrace them. Hold onto them long and tight. Realize that even though you may have aspired to do so much more, what you did was meaningful.

Sometimes the beautiful thing about an idea isn’t seeing it being completely fulfilled. Sometimes the beautiful thing is what happens as we pursue the BIG idea. What was it that John Lennon said? "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

So, may you open your eyes and see the open flowers surrounding you today. May you pursue your purpose in life and continue to breath life into others… one flower at a time.

(Dedicated to some special “pollinators”: Max, Betty, and in loving memory of The Dunhams)