Give Them Their Flowers Before Time is Done
I'm not going to lie, I thought this saying was talking about literal flowers. Perhaps, maybe it still is, but I'll tell you why I'm deciding to write about it.
The saying hit me the other day while I was complimenting a friend, and afterwards, something totally different came to mind. With my interpretation, the flowers is symbolic to appreciating someone's presence and their soul before their time is up on earth.
To give them flowers is to publically and privately acknowledge, to give compliments, to tell them how much they mean to you, to show your gratitude towards them, to be an encouragement, to be a helping hand. It is simply to love and honor and be grateful of the one you so-call care for, whether it's your Parents, Siblings, Nieces or Nephews, Friends, Spouse, or whoever...tell them what they really mean to you. And no, I'm not talking about going off on them. That's not pretty flowers, that's an allergic reaction.
But anyway, I wanted to bring this subject up because the older I get, the more I'm realizing how precious my life is and those I'm around. I also understand that there are so many people out here who just need to hear something positive about themselves even by someone else. It gives that extra boost in confidence. It could also be saving their life.
It also helps me to never be envious of anyone, especially if they're a lot farther than I am. It helps me to see people better, it helps me to be vulnerable and honest with folk, identifying with them and making a genuine impression in their heart. Most of all, it honestly feels good to speak to folk more positively; to compliment and acknowledge their greatness. Sometimes I give a full bouquet, other times I give a single stem, but as long as I'm giving them something to let them know how I think and feel about them, I know I'm planting a beautiful garden in the lives of others.
You know what's also cool? I've heard people say that when they plant flowers or like any type of green foliage, that they talk to it to help it grow. They say lots of positive and affirming things to these bulbs for a long time and after a while, out comes something beautiful. It's the same with us. The more we speak to people with kindness, love, healing, meaning, etc, the more we grow and mature into something strong and beautiful. We become gorgeous like a flower and our inner selves bloom and our soul sprays a fragrance that becomes so infectious, that automatically someone is going to compliment how great it smells. You ever walked past a bed of flowers and smelled its perfume in the wind? Most times you'd be like "oh man, those flowers smell so good." It's as simple as that, not unless you're a hater. If you are, well, you're probably a weed. Somebody bring me the round up, please.
But seriously, to me, as I look it like that, it is all too important that we be intentional about giving each other flowers so that we each may experience a love for one another and even a deeper appreciation for ones beauty. When we plant/give flowers to someone, we are helping to landscape the earth with more beautiful people and helping them to see themselves the way we do. It takes nothing to tell somebody how great they are at something. It takes nothing to say I love you to someone. It takes nothing to tell them how courageous and bold they are. It takes NOTHING to acknowledge those we admire and care for.
So I challenge you today, give someone you know a flower. In the process, you'll be giving yourself one too. Watch both of you bloom.
Well said, Baby!
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