Yesterday, I came across the following poem. I didn’t find it in a book about raising children or about therapeutic approaches for children. I found it quoted in a book about personal finances. Go figure.
Inspiration just creeps up on you like that.
As a therapist, it is often easy to get caught up in evaluating children, setting goals for them, and treating them. After all, that’s what I trained to do and that’s what I’m here to do. It is therefore important from time to time to take a step back and just simply be in awe of and inspired by the children we treat and care for.
The Rose
When we plant a rose seed in the earth, we notice that it is small, but we do not criticize it as rootless or stemless. We treat it as a seed giving it 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 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 stage, at each moment, it is perfectly all right as it is.
- Timothy Gallwey
Not all roses are created equal. They come in all colors, shapes, lengths, and scents. Regardless, they are all perfect. They are all beautiful. They are all innocent. And, when we are open, they are all inspiring.
So, have you stopped to smell your roses today?
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