Let’s explore what this quote by Georgia O’Keefe means and the things we can do to make our own lives better!

Everyone has a different role to play in this world. Some are lucky enough to be artists, others are natural-born leaders, and others are content with staying at home. But really, if you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for the moment. It might not be forever, but that doesn’t mean that everything else is meaningless.

I think when you are living in the moment, it is very important to be the best that you can be.

Every day I try to make myself a better person by living in the present and not letting my past affect me too much. When living in the present, what matters most is how you feel about yourself and your life right now.

When living in the present, many people don’t realize that they have an option or choice of living their lives differently than they currently do. This has helped me live my life more fully because I know that every day I am making progress towards being a better person!

Sometimes living in the present is easier said than done.  Sometimes living in the present means living for yourself and making your world better, instead of worrying about what everyone else is doing.  Living in the present also means taking little breaks throughout your day, like petting a dog or smelling fresh-cut grass on summer days.  There’s a whole world living right inside of you.

The next time that you look at a flower, don’t just glance at it. Really look at it. Observe the way the petals fan out and come together at the center.  The color might be something that you’d never expect, or maybe it’s a shade that you only see in your dreams.  The structure of the flower is like living art, and there’s a whole world living inside of it.

For some people, living in the present means living for themselves and making their world a better place. Others live for their close friends and family, and it’s rewarding to take care of other people that you love.  There’s also living through your art, or living through a cause that you believe in with all of your heart.

But living in the present isn’t just about what we can see it’s also about being aware of our actions and emotions. As we look intently at the flower, we can also use our amazing powers of observation to look inwards.

Daisy chains are the flowering analogy of memories.

Our lives are a collection of moments strung together. Going back to the flower analogy we are a daisy chain of experiences.

The daisy symbolizes living in the present.  It has no sense of time, living only for today.  Just like living life to the fullest, it lives every moment as if there is no need to worry about tomorrow because nothing can be changed until that day comes.  To live in the present is an opportunity given to all living things.  In your daily life, think about living in the present and living your day to the fullest.

If you lose your connection with the present – perhaps you’re worried about an upcoming meeting or an important event – give yourself five minutes to reconnect.

Close your eyes and be aware of what’s happening in your head, be conscious of thoughts racing to be let out. And when you feel like it, be conscious of the breath moving inside you. Don’t try to change anything; be aware of what is happening, without judgment or struggle.

Be self-aware and be aware of your surroundings and be aware of the beauty that surrounds you. If you cannot see a flower, visualise one. Think of flowers you have seen during the summer. Remember the sunlight and the warm breeze. That is your moment.

Be conscious of what’s happening right now, be aware of what you are doing, be aware of who you are talking to, be aware of how hard it must have been to get this far. Accept everything that comes your way. Be grateful for the honesty of others. Be conscious of how they might be feeling. Be aware of what is happening right now, be conscious of the changing environment around you.

Be self-aware and be aware of your surroundings and be aware of the beauty that surrounds you. It will serve you well during stressful times.

I am grateful even though I am in pain.

As I write this blog, I am in considerable pain. A recurring back injury has made movement and accessing my laptop difficult. I am using the mindfulness tools that I’ve learned to get me through this painful time. I’m also giving thanks and showing gratitude for what I’ve got. I have a flower blooming on my windowsill. I have nurtured that rose from an almost dead stem to a leafy, flowering plant.

I am not going to let some pain prevent me from observing the intricate beauty of the petals and how the sunlight highlights the structure of the flower. I am not going to let some pain stop me from publishing my thoughts and observations.

I think this is where I link to an article about tenacity!

Let’s get back to the flower…

The beauty of our own lives can be observed in the microcosm of a single flower. If you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for the moment.

That beauty will never end no matter how many times you’ve seen that beauty before because beauty is derived from countless unique moments. The more often we look around to see how our lives fit in with the lives of others, the less selfish we become. We can see that our actions have an impact. I have a choice when I hold a rose. I can appreciate it, or discard it. I can be indifferent or nurturing.

The more effort I put into recognizing beauty, the more likely I am to look after it.

That beauty exists within us as well, even though the beauty of a flower is easier to see.

Be the rose. Be your world. If only just for a moment.

And finally…

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All the best!

Matt The Happy Human