Noticing the Shift: What Keeps Blooming When We Pay Attention
—Share Four Somethings January 2026
I’ve been intentionally watching for shifts this month—some subtle, some more noticeable. Life is always changing, moment by moment.
This month’s four somethings all circle around what happens when we show up to the shift—so life can keep blooming.
Each month in 2026, we’re sharing these 4 somethings at Jenn’s blog.
1 – Something I loved
2 – Something sustaining me
3 – Something carrying me forward
4 – Something I’m making space for
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Something I Loved
- A reminder that beauty can return again and again
I was given this amaryllis a couple of months ago. I assumed it would bloom once and be done.
But instead, new shoots keep popping up, followed by new blooms—and I’m surprised every time. Just when I think it’s finished, there it goes again.
Sometimes the stems can’t hold the weight of the blooms and they start to fall over. When that happens, I cut them and put them in a vase, where they stay beautiful for another week or so.
My plant people here can confirm this for me, but I read that once the foliage dies back, I should remove the bulbs and store them in a cool, dark place until fall. Even though it’s a houseplant. Is that right?
I can’t quite imagine this cycle continuing for me with a houseplant—but I’m willing to try. There’s a shift here I’m learning from: beauty doesn’t always arrive once and leave. Sometimes it keeps coming back.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Something Sustaining Me
- Relearning the power of being together
The world continues to recover from the aftereffects of 2020 and COVID isolation. Even now, almost six years later, I’m realizing how attending events in person has been far more nourishing than I ever realized prior to 2020.
Jeff and I attended an annual conference on the East Coast last weekend, and as usual, it was so uplifting. There’s something about being in the same room with other people—breathing the same air, singing the same songs, laughing at the same jokes—that gives me life.
Online connections matter; don’t get me wrong. (See “Gifts of Online Gatherings: Finding Community Through Zoom”) I don’t want to live without those! May they live on and on.
But there’s been a shift in my awareness: having my body gathered with other bodies carries a special kind of energy—and I don’t want to ever take that for granted again.
sweet friends we see each year at Southern Lights (Instagram photo)
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Something Carrying Me Forward
- The comfort of continuity across generations
The older my grandson gets, the more he enjoys playing with some of the same toys at our house that his mama and aunt once played with when they were children.
The same games.
The same playsets.
The same books.
Different child, different era—and yet, it feels so familiar. (See “Is There a Hidden Ripple Right in Front of You?”) This shift from one generation to the next feels very satisfying to me. Time seems to relax for a moment, as if it’s reminding me that love and connections don’t disappear—they are simply carried forward through new hands.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Something I’m Making Space For
- Making room for meaningful connection
While traveling through the Midwest a couple weeks ago, Jeff and I wondered if we could shift our schedule enough to make an extra stop—to visit a dear blogging friend along our route.
I’d never met Lynn in person before. I truly never thought I would, even though I wished I could.
And now I have! I’m forever grateful for the space that opened up for it.
Getting to see Lynn in person—hearing her voice, seeing her home, being present in her everyday world with her precious family—was priceless. (And her husband’s carrot cake? Amazing!) Even though we were only together a couple of hours, those moments will stay with me for years.
—
Maybe the thread tying these four somethings together this month is this: when we pay closer attention, beauty appears and new things become possible.
A plant still blooming.
A room full of people.
Toys passed down.
A friendship in the flesh.
A Question for You:
What’s something in your life that keeps blooming?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
I’m linking at these blog parties
I love that your grandson is enjoying the same toys/games that you did when you were a child, Lisa, and what a joy it is to see that no matter how much things may change, some things stay the same. He is such a cutie! Just waking up each morning and giving thanks to God for a brand new day makes my heart and soul bloom. Blessings!
Paying attention is such a vital spiritual practice. Love all of these especially meeting up with a blogger friend. If you are ever near NW Ohio, traveling along the Ohio Turnpike on the very west side of Ohio please reach out. would be so fun to meet in person and make that face to face connection – a real theme to this post today isn’t it?
I have a 40 plus year old cactus that has was a cutting from my long passed grandmother. This plant has been split and both still keep blooming with a minimal of care after all these years. It always amazing me when I look over at the plant table to find it still blooms at the oddest of times.
I love all of this, Lisa. 🙂 May we all pay close attention to the beauty around us! Something in my life that keeps blooming? Jesus’ unfailing love. I can’t imagine life without Him. ❤️ Love and blessings to you!
P.S. I love your t-shirt’s message!
This was food for the soul! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
What a beautiful post that also links back to your One Word Shift, Lisa! I enjoyed it so much. It’s got the wheels going in my head now!
Your grandson is so adorable! And such a concentrator when he’s “busy”. Love it!
Someone gave me an amaryllis in a box one year–I think it was an amaryllis. Or something like it that blooms from a bulb. I had never seen or heard of one before. I stuck the box in a cabinet–and forgot about it. Then some time later I opened the cabinet and saw foliage sticking out. The poor thing had bloomed, or tried to. I felt so bad. But what a picture of blooming where you are planted even without sunlight and encouragement.
Some of our favorite toys are ones we kept that our kids played with and then Timothy used when he was younger.
I’m one who didn’t mind staying home more during the pandemic. Even now, when it’s time to get ready for some kind of gathering, I often wish I didn’t have to. But I enjoy them once I get there.
How fun to meet a blogging friend in person! I’ve only met one, when she moved to my area, and we have lunch together every few weeks. I would love to meet so many more, even for a few hours.
Watching the children in my life learn new things brings me immeasurable joy.
I have heard that is what you do with an amaryllis too; my grandmother had one that bloomed year after year but I never thought to ask what she did with it in the off season (but I think it went into their garage). Yours is beautiful! I don’t think I’ve ever heard of one blooming so much in one season.
I LOVE pattern blocks and it’s so sweet seeing your grandson enjoying them too. I didn’t think to keep any toys of any kind from my boys for future generations to enjoy but I bet if and when we have grandkids I’ll still be buying some of those classics like Lincoln Logs, pattern blocks, and puzzles. After all they are classics for a reason; they never go out of style.
I loved this! I love that you made time (and so did Lynn) to meet in person. What a fun connection. I hope you have a great week!
Thank you for sharing these beautiful moments and reflections, Lisa. It truly is amazing how magic appears in the simplest moments when we slow down enough to really see it.
I love all the children’s laughter on your video Lisa, so sweet!
To answer your question;
Sanctuary keeps blooming for me, not just this year either. But as I appreciate the sanctuaries I have now I realise how they have bloomed in other years too!
Blessings, Jennifer
This is the second amaryllis I have seen (in photos) this evening. I was gifted one at Christmas and am so excited for it to bloom. I think it is going to be soon. These flowers are new to me – but so amazing!! I agree that being together (and the power of being together) is such a blessing!! Don’t want to take it for granted!
I like seeing the Jacksonville Jaguars jacket in your picture from the conference. That’s our team (we live just south of Jacksonville). And your grandson is certainly concentrating on the puzzle he’s working on! I also like your sweatshirt. In my lifetime, I’ve not seen a time when we need those 4 Somethings as much as we do now.
Your 1 second videos have always made my day and this one didn’t disappoint with your little guy and his ‘work shirt.’
Too absolutely awesome, Lisa.
Happy February.
Happy February, Lisa. I enjoyed reading this post. Thank you for sharing it with us at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party. It’s appreciated.
Lisa, what a wonderful month. I love that your grandson is playing with his Mama’s toys. And how special you got to visit with Lynn. we all get to feel like each other is really family here in our online space. I feel like all of you guys are family. It’s such a treasure.
Thanks so much for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend. I’m so happy you’re here.