Slow Down And Smell The Roses

Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul. – Luther Burbank

We live in a world filled with busyness. It is easy to be so caught up with our busyness that we pay little attention or take the time to appreciate just how precious life is. In striving towards some future goal or dream, we may lose our connection with life, with ourselves, and forget to enjoy the journey. We end up becoming attached to our own view of life. But when the world doesn’t fit in with our views, we become frustrated and life becomes difficult.

We really should take a break from the fast track and slow down and smell the roses. The expression “stop and smell the roses” is not simply about flowers, but rather about how to live your life with a deeper appreciation of the world around us. It reminds us to slow down and notice the little things that make life worthwhile. Despite a busy life, it is important to know how to be present in the moment; otherwise those moments will pass you by.

When we slow things down, we have the opportunity to appreciate all the details and we feel connected with our own self, with all the people in our life and with the world around us. We begin to live in the moment. Accept the ups and downs. Make a choice to be happy.

One of the best ways to slow down is to go back to nature. Take a walk along a beach or in a park. Watch the ripples in a lake as the wind blows. Have an appreciation for the birds in the trees. Watch the stars at night. Be awed by the gracefulness of butterflies. Watch how bees fly from flowers to flowers. Getting in touch with nature helps us appreciate the little things and remind us that our life is fleeting.

Arriving home after sending my son to work, I felt a sudden urge to take a walk around Greenville, the gated-community where I live. Armed with my Canon DSLR and my Huawei P9, I started out on my walk.

Some of my neighbours are very much into flower planting and gardening. A section of the housing area has been turned into a vegetable and fruit garden. I came across fruits like custard apples, oranges, pineapples, jackfruits and noni.

But what I find most appealing are the flowers and insects. The wide assortment of flowers is a feast for the eyes. Flowers are so graceful with bewitching shades and combinations of colours. I saw a few butterflies,lots of bees, a moth and a lovely bug.

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When I looked at the fallen flowers and fruits, it really made me realise how transient life is. One day the flowers are proudly showing off their beauty and the next day, they have dropped to the ground or drain. It made me appreciate how precious my life is.

My dear friends, do take time off and slow down. Learn to live in the present and appreciate the people around you. You only live but once!

After women, flowers are the most lovely thing God has given the world. – Christian Dior