In its simplest translation, the French word l’épanouissement means “blossoming” or “opening” but in the sense of self-development, it can also be interpreted as “fulfillment” or “being comfortable in your own skin.” The motto of my graduating high school was spes messis in semine — the fruit of the harvest is in the seed. If we reap what we sow, we’d better plant good, healthy and fertile seeds — whether they be seeds of an idea, seeds of a relationship or friendship, seeds of a plan or creation.
The French symbol La Marianne depicted as La Semeuse, or The Sower, beautifully represents this idea of sowing a bountiful crop and thus enjoying the fleurissement or flourishing harvest of blossoming. Designed in 1897 by French medalist and designer Louis Oscar Roty, La Semeuse was circulated for the 50-centime and 1-, 2- and 5-franc coins through 1920. La Marianne is the embodiment of the French Republic and represent the country’s values of “Liberté, Égalité, and Fraternité.”

