Flowers

When I was younger, I never really did think about flowers. They were ornaments, decorations, and traditions. Orchids for prosperity, white chrysanthemum for funerals, and lotus for religion. Later, I learnt that they were a social norm in romantic relationships, given as a must-do during anniversaries and dates. "Such a waste of money, aren't they just for show" - were my exact thoughts - until I received my first bouquet. The sweet scent of roses and the vibrant shades of red on my study desk added a certain spark of happiness in my day.

They no longer only represent social norms. They became an act of affection, a reminder that I was being loved, and being thought of, and I cherished it. Surely, as all things go, nothing is immortal. 2-3 weeks, for a bouquet of flowers in full bloom, just like the ever-changing nature of humans. That is why, with each bouquet of flowers, I am reminded of this long lasting love I am so lucky to receive.

"I can buy myself flowers if I wanted" - I always could, and still can. I do still think so, and so do lots of women in the world. But I never truly understood this sentence, until I bought my first bouquet. The scent, the colours, the arrangement, the vase..., I started to appreciate flowers as they are. In other words, they became the simplest way to buy happiness, a splurge on myself, or one could even call it an act of self-love.

Buy yourself flowers, even when you're lucky enough to receive them, and when you do receive them, please, do cherish them.

~Carpe diem~