Life gets busy. Overwhelming. Boring. We fall into a routine. But I’ve learned that it takes only two seconds to stop and smell the flowers.

While looking for spaghetti noodles tonight at Safeway, I stopped to smell the flowers. It was a beautiful red-white-and-blue carnation arrangement–left over from Memorial Day. People must think I’m crazy. But who cares. The smell of fresh flowers brought a smile to my face, as I continued my journey into the grocery store.

I like roses, but probably because I’ve been brainwashed by society that red roses = romance. I grew up loving the smell of carnations; influenced, of course, by my dad.

The flowers pictured above are neither roses or carnations, but are still pretty. I took this picture several months ago, but looking at them makes me feel cheerful.

I was taught that one shouldn’t “waste” money on flowers. They die. They don’t last very long. The money should be spent on food, necessities. But we often bought flowers to put on a loved one’s grave.

Later on in life, I was taught by the same people that “hmmm, maybe we should buy flowers from time to time–for it’s better to give someone flowers when they’re ALIVE so they can enjoy it; rather than buy flowers for their grave.” Good point. Ever since then, I’ve adopted the new thought system.

I still don’t like the idea of someone spending $50+ for roses on Valentine’s Day. (Now that is truly a rip off when they jack up the prices.) A nice card written from the heart and a home-cooked meal are worth more than expensive flowers. But that’s just my two cents.