Flower of Breath

Imagine you are in a park—beautiful lawn, trees, flowers. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a little boy comes over to you. With a smile and a laugh, he hands you a flower. What would you do? Then he goes to a group of people and hands them a flower. The first question is, “Where are your parents? Are you lost?”
Then somebody asks, “Oh! Is that for me?” Somebody else says, “What a nice flower.” Another person asks, “What’s your name, little boy? How old are you?
Where do you live? What are you doing here?” What would you ask?

There are times in life when it is essential that you understand something.
You didn’t ask for it. You weren’t looking for it. But a situation presents itself and calls you to acknowledge something. Some people don’t like it when that happens.
And others realize, “Here is an opportunity for me to learn.” I will tell you who I want to be in that garden. With the same innocent smile as the child offering me the flower, I want to extend my hand and accept it—no words exchanged.

It is not how I see myself; it is who I want to be. With the same innocence, I want to accept that gift. I am in a garden. Every moment comes with incredible innocence and joy. This remarkable gift of existence keeps unfolding and unfolding. This magnificent power of life is handing me a flower of breath.