When Flowers Bloom so Does Hope

With the blooming tulips, I get to smile again

Once you start capturing the beauty of flowers you can’t stop. After every corner, every front- and backyard you’ll find another one. Another beautiful blooming flower that has to get on camera.

The moment you do see the real beauty in nature you can’t help yourself but share it with others. You are so grateful for all the time you get to explore nature. Appreciation is why you want to put it out there. For others to see it as well.

There is something about flowers and hope. Women get flowers from their admirers. Why? Because the guy hopes she’ll give him a chance. He has hope. And he’s using flowers to express his feelings this way.

But I don’t like picking flowers. They’ll die. Very quick. And painful. I much rather capture them with my camera. That way I don’t hurt them. And I leave them for the ones coming behind me. So they can also still admire the blooming beauty.

I also take pictures to be able to share them with those who aren’t standing next to me. Those who are at home. In a different city. A different country. Or even live on a different continent. I take these photographs to show them the world.

“By plucking her petals, you do not gather the beauty of the flower.” — Rabindranath Tagore

I’ve captured this selection of yellow and red tulips for several weeks now. That's how it feels at least. But they’ve impressed me from day one when I first spotted them.

These tulips are growing on the side of the road at my neighbor’s who just finished building their house. The grass just started to grow on the small stretch in front of their new home.

And just there, next to a rock and the steep wall, there are four blooming tulips. They bloom in their brightest colors. And even after starting to wither, they don’t let their heads down. They keep the flower heads straight up. Knowing they don’t need to hide from anyone. They are pretty even now and shine until their very last day.

“A tulip doesn’t strive to impress anyone. It doesn’t struggle to be different than a rose. It doesn’t have to. It is different. And there is room in the garden for every flower.” — Marianne Williamson

Looking at a crowd of people one should think of a field of flowers. Every human is different. Just like every flower is different. Don’t judge and shout. But watch and listen. Then you’ll see the beauty of each and every one.

“Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature.” — Gerard De Nerval

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

When you’re feeling down or simply having a bad day just head out in nature. Go for a walk to the nearest flower field you have. It doesn’t have to be a field of tulips. A stretch of wildflowers will do just fine.

And then just stand there and watch. Look at every single flower. How different they all seem to be. Watch the insects flying from one to the next blossom. Listen to the buzzing. And the singing. Close your eyes.

And tell me — do you feel better now?

We often forget what is important in life. We constantly compare ourselves with others who seem to be better, prettier, stronger, and more successful. We push ourselves down with this behavior by telling us we’re simply not good enough. Instead of raising ourselves up.

“A flower blossoms for its own joy.” — Oscar Wilde

Now read that quote again. And again. Until you get the meaning of it. And until you understand what it means for yourself.

We need to treat ourselves because we should be number one on our list.

If we want to wear this dress because we like the way we look in it, then wear it.

If we want to go watch the movie because it makes us feel better, then go to the cinema.

If we want to go explore the world because we love the feeling of being in a foreign land, then go travel.

If we want to quit this job because it doesn’t make us happy, then walk away from it.

But don’t do those things because others or society tells you to do so. Listen to yourself. Listen inside of you. And bloom just like the flowers for your very own joy. This, and only this will make you smile from within.

This has been a different kind of post. I wanted to share these lovely tulips but decided to change things up a bit by adding some quotes.

More about my blooming nature writing…

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Anne Bonfert is a traveler. Photographer. Writer. Teacher. Skydiving instructor. Adventure enthusiast. Nature lover. And fell in love with the African continent.