The Sunflower Challenge

Sunflowers have always been special to me, but they became even more special after a life changing experience that led many of you reading this now, to me. But, a lot of you are also new and recently have asked exactly what the sunflower challenge is so it’s time to break this spiritual experience back out of the vault.

Here is my original post from August 19, 2016 that went viral:

“Last night I bought a sunflower to put on the windshield of someone I’m smitten with. After some consideration I decided not to since we had only been on one date, the night previous. Don’t want to come off too strong, right? Anyway, I grabbed the flower on my way out this morning with the intention to give it to someone on my way to work so it didn’t die alone. What happened next has left me changed in ways I don’t even have words for yet.

While I was sitting and drinking my morning joe at the coffee shop (which I typically take to go), I saw a woman reading something with tears quietly and quickly sliding down her pale face. It was like there was a magnet in the sunflower that was being drawn to her, because I knew in that moment she was who I was going to give the sunflower to; she was who I had to give it to.

When I got to her table I said, “hey, pardon me. I have this sunflower that I was hoping to give to someone special and that someone I had in mind didn’t work out, but I can feel that you’re special too, so I want you to have it.”

Before I could even hand her the sunflower, this complete stranger flew into my arms with tears flowing, and gratitude spewing, as if I was someone she once loved, and lost. It’s what she said next that I’m still trying to grip.

She was crying because her fiancé had died the week before, just months before they were going to get married. On their first date he brought her a sunflower and from then on, got her sunflowers, never roses, because she was the light of his life.

Today, through me, he was able to show her that she’ll always be the light of his life and how we as humans have a message to carry that goes far beyond words.

I’m shaken, awaken and feeling raw. You never know how much a simple gesture of giving someone a $5 flower will change their life, as well as yours. Life is about giving and being of service to others. I challenge you all to find a way to make someone else’s life just a little bit brighter today and be of service. You never know the impact you could have.

Please feel free to share this, and a little extra love.

I dare you do the same and give a sunflower to someone you don’t know. Be a part of the good; be a part of the #sunflowerchallenge.”

Whenever I’m feeling down or struggling, I show up and try to be of service to others. Perhaps that means making someone a meal, holding a for open, or my personal favorite, simply sharing a smile with someone. This can look like writing a letter or calling someone who I know would appreciate hearing from me. It can look so many different ways, both big and small. When I get out of my own head and way, the universe is able to show me how to best show up and serve others. My passion and main purpose in this world is to foster and create connections with other beings, both human and animals. Connection is why we are all here really and where you’ll find that joy lives.

As always with Wonder,

Danny (& Wilder)