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Patience

One of the five petals of the forget-me-not is now supposed to remind us to be patient with ourselves.  Well, that reminds me of a quotation I collected about roses.  I wish I could give the author credit, but I do not know who originally penned this (if you know, please let me know): Thanks to my mom's wonderful googling skills, I know that this is from W. Timothy Gallwey in The Inner Game of Tennis:

When we plant a rose seed in the earth we notice that it is small, but we do not criticize it as "rootless and stemless".  We treat it as a seed, giving it the water and nourishment required of a seed.  When it first shoots up out of the earth, we don't condemn it as immature and underdeveloped, nor do we criticize the buds for not being open when they appear.  We stand in wonder at the process taking place and give the plant the care it needs at each stage of its development. 

The rose is a rose from the time it is a seed to the time it dies.  Within it, at all times, it contains its whole potential.  It seems to be constantly in the process of change, yet at each state, at each moment, it is perfectly all right as it is.

That is so true, whether it is applied to roses, people, or even home projects.  I just have to keep reminding myself of that fact.  The top of my desk is beautifully clear at the moment, and just because I now have a box of "to shred" papers under my desk, doesn't mean I can't delight in the clean desk.  John and I remind each other, "Little by little." Not only do small changes over time result in great beauty, but realizing that life is a process allows us to enjoy how things are right now, without worrying about how they are not. 

Thankful thought of the day:  Thanks to the patient people I know:  Tula, Krista, Ann, and my family come to mind, but I know there are many others!




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