Be Still My Heart

The rose. She's called the Queen of flowers. Well  known for their beauty and lovely fragrance, they symbolize love, happiness, gratitude, royalty, sensuality, hope and strength.

There are a couple of rose bushes living in my little garden. I enjoy watching them grow from bud to bloom during the summer months. But, summer is over now, the roses are wilting and fading away.

In the garden of my spiritual journey, their transition is a poignant reminder to me that life is transient and once again, we can find the beautiful and meaningful in it if we pay attention. Just like the rose, we also bloom and flourish in ideal conditions. When conditions are challenging we may wilt and bow our heads too. But each stage carries its own unique beauty and lessons.

I experienced something recently that took my breath away. I noticed her surrounded by fallen autumn leaves. My eyes followed her gently curved stem right to her beautiful head which was bowed in a tender, fragile kind of way. Her delicate petals were faded and tinged with age. I was overcome with feelings of sadness, sweetness, affection and sorrow. Above all, she was captivating and I was drawn to her striking beauty.

She is so much more than a dying rose. 
She is strength and acceptance. 
She is revealing her truest self. 
She is brave. 
Be still my heart.

Love and Light,
Jeanne