The beauty of flower picking

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. That saying has always stuck with me, most recently highlighted by the act of picking flowers on the street. I’m not saying flowers are trash, but they are often similarly overlooked. When is the last time you picked some flowers off the street to give to a loved one? Most don’t realize how impactful this simple gesture can be. Gone are the days of running to the store to buy a fancy set of flowers. When you really think about it, what really shows more effort and care?

There’s nothing wrong with buying flowers, but I truly believe that there is beauty in picking flowers off of the street. The time and effort alone is commendable, and it shows an intent motivated by love. It’s a personal process too, as you consider the details which your loved ones will most appreciate while handcrafting a bouquet of sunflowers, roses or daisies. The act says more than the flowers itself, which is what ties it all together.

There are obvious rules when it comes to picking flowers. You don’t want to destroy someone’s yard by taking excessively, but one or two is innocent enough. It is like a sign of respect and appreciation. The flowers are out there for you, but you must also be courteous to the providers.

Recently I decided to take a walk through my neighborhood to take a look at what flowers I could pluck out from the open gardens. I was dribbling a basketball that slipped into a bed of sunflowers. The sea of bright yellow caught my eye, and I was in awe. I picked a couple and was on my way. Then it came to me. The owners, or the flowers’ caretakers, have no idea what impact they possibly make everyday. Maybe a young man in love will pick some flowers for the girl of his dreams. Maybe a son who wants to make his mother smile will do the same. The caregivers of these almost insignificant things could unknowingly be making significant impacts in the lives of strangers. Maybe those flowers were the beginning of a young couple’s beautiful life together. Maybe those flowers gave the son’s mother reassurance of his love for her.

Just these two examples alone are beautiful moments that come from someone simply planting some seeds that grow into endless possibilities.

I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Walking home from work I picked some flowers for a loved one. She was happy, and so was I. To see the joy, the smiles and the appreciation was priceless. It’s as simple as that. My neighbors will never know that I picked some flowers from their garden, but they also will never know the happiness that was brought to two strangers. It’s beautiful how people help each other without even knowing. Next time you see flowers lying around, pick them up, and give them to someone you love. Life works in mysterious ways. Flowers on the street might be treated as insignificant as litter, but they can definitely be someone’s treasure.