How Do You See A Rose?

The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns;
the pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious to the rose.
Kahlil Gibran

A grainy cell photo of a rose I once received, but still, a sweet rose which meant so much to me at the time.  I love roses.  I always have, ever since I was a little girl.  There’s something about fresh flowers which touches my heart every time.

I am an optimist and I see the beauty in a rose ~ I acknowledge the thorns, but they don’t take away the beauty and perfection of the rose herself.  I think people are like roses as well.  Some are thornier than others.  Some look perfect, yet have no fragrance.  Some are fragrant, but like the photo above, aren’t perfectly colored.  Me, I like the fragrant ones who aren’t perfectly colored ~ I guess I like a little imperfection in myself.  I think it adds a bit of charm and character.

Who wants to be one of the crowd instead of calmly loving our own uniqueness?

I think that’s the key to a peaceful life ~ accepting ourselves and others for our whole rose and not wishing that the other person were less thorny or more fragrant or more perfectly formed with uniform color.  To accept the rose for who she is and not to find her less attractive for her flaws.  Instead, to hold her gently in your heart with loving kindness, patience and understanding.

I want you to know that like the rose, I see your beauty, flaws and all.  I cherish your uniqueness.  I applaud your fragrance and your thorns.  I will hold your friendship in my heart and it will linger long after we have withered and I will wait for you to bloom again.

Shine On!

xo