Weed or flower? Sometimes it pays to be curious and patient.
Life can rush by in a blur, and it's too easy to get caught up and overlook the small wonders around us. I've been slowing it down to allow my curiosity to stumble upon some of the little things that remind me of the beauty of the simpler things.
I recently relearned this lesson.
After mowing, I grabbed the weed whacker and circled the yard. Nestled against the foundation, I noticed an unfamiliar plant. I figured it was a weed, but I didn't recognize it. I allowed my curiosity the benefit of the doubt; instead of cutting it down, I decided to hold off for a couple of weeks to see what it might turn into.
(Yes, I realize I could have used a "name this plant" app, but I didn't get around to it. And then it must not have been significant enough to remember!)
After three weeks of cutting around it (and not looking it up), I was surprised to find a couple of similar-looking weeds had popped up beside it. And that the original had flowered! The blossoms so surprised and delighted me that I gave it and the others a permanent reprieve from the weed whacker, and, finally, I checked the app to see what I was looking at.
It turns out it is a weed. And a native wildflower – an Aspen Fleabane.
Lessons learned:
Delightful little surprises surround us – we need to allow ourselves to stumble upon these hidden gems that have the potential to enrich our lives.
Patience pays off. Sometimes beauty emerges with time. By working around this "weed," I gave myself the possibility of surprise.
Find joy in the unexpected, simple surprises. My weed/flower reminds me that extraordinary potential lies within the ordinary.
So, embrace curiosity, practice patience, and stay open to the unexpected. Take time to explore the unknown, appreciate the process of growth, and find joy in life's simple pleasures. The world will surprise us with its hidden treasures. Who knows what you'll find if we only take the time to look?
