Tips on growing roses.
1. Provide lots of strong, direct sunlight. Like roses, we need sunlight too. We need bright, cheery friends and acquaintances. We need business associates that are expecting the best from us and are encouraging. Roses don’t grow in dark, dank conditions and we don’t do as well either. Don’t hang around anyone who doesn’t lift your spirits. Surround yourself with positive, uplifting people. They are the sunshine of your life.
2. Water regularly. Keep yourself well watered with inspirational, motivational books. Don’t let yourself dry out. Keep the TV off. There is nothing inspiring there. If you are going to watch a movie, watch one that feeds your soul. Here are 2 that I find motivating: “The World’s Fastest Indian” and “300″.
3. Prune. Roses occasionally get sucker roots that grow off the root ball. These stems grow quickly, produce no roses, and rob the rose bush of a lot of its food supply. They have to be twisted off at the root as soon as they are discovered. Sucker stems for us are those activities that not only add nothing of value to our lives, but are detrimental because they sap energy and time that could be used to help us reach our dreams. Again, watching TV. Sitting around a bar drinking. Gossiping. Fretting about what has happened in the past. Prune that stuff!
4. Stop and smell the roses. “The world is a rose; smell it and pass it to your friends”. Don’t get so tied up in the mechanics of making a living that you miss life. Stop every once in a while and look at the beauty around you. Appreciate what you have. Love your family, your friends, your neighbors. Observe. Think. Thank God.
The rose and the thorn, and sorrow and gladness are linked together. -Saadi
Copyright 2010 by Scott Alexander
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As I read this, I could’t help but picture a illustrated Rhino, pruning a rose bush. Such great advice that is so often overlooked and forgotten.
Thanks Scott!
Mike, that would make a great illustration! Thank you. Keep pruning and charging!!
It’s too bad roses have thorns, BUT really awesome that thorns have roses! Love this post Scott — simple reminders of how to keep blooming
Love ALL of the suggestions including to observe, to think and to THANK GOD. And, thank you for continuing sharing your insights – your leadership makes such a difference for so many, including me!
Thank you, Paula! Great way to look at it – “thorns have roses!” Love it!!
Love this!! as I posted on your page. Amazing that I have always spoken about people in terms of watering a plant… Especially when speaking of my mother-in-law how our relationship never grew because she never watered it!!! LOL
Wow! Beautifully written, simple and right to the point. Concur with Mike/Paula! Great reminders here. I’m going to print out to read daily!
Good message. I was going to share it and will but you need a facebook and twitter button to make it easier for people to share your blogs. Get the rhino word out.
Yes, good tip, Sharon! I’ll pass that along!! Thank you!