The Wisdom of Flowers

 This the view from my back deck. The cala lilies opening to the heavens and the trumpet flowers looking down at the earth. Two different perspectives and each necessary to help us remember something beyond our list to buy dish soap and find out when the Warriors play next. 

How often do we stand outside in the night and look up into the heavens? Lie on our backs during the day and gaze up at the clouds? How else can we remember how infinitesimally small we are in this vast universe? One microscopic dot in an enormous web of life. And that’s okay. Isn’t it grand just to be included in the majesty of the stars? Whenever we’re overinflated with our own self-importance, it’s a good idea to look up and open our arms to the heavens. The cala lilies recommend it.

And then let’s not forget the ground under our feet. It’s delicious to feel our spirit flying up, but also good to dig down into the soil where soul awaits, get our hands dirty in the garden. Spend some time with the ants and lie down in the grasses. Plenty of time—an eternity?—to float disembodied in the ether when we’re done here. So while we’re on this earth, let’s enjoy the earthiness of our corporeal existence. Follow the gaze of the trumpet flowers. 

Heaven and earth. Today’s lessons from the flowers.