After watching my garden wake up this spring, it occurred to me that opening one’s mind is like a rose blooming. Everyone’s mind is beautiful, in its own way. No two are exactly alike, just like the roses blooming in my garden. There are different colors, different scents, different shapes.

When you are young, your mind is like the tight, new rosebud. Closed to the hatred and meanness of the world. The bud shows promise, and teases you with the possibilities that it holds. Just like a young mind. As you learn and explore, your mind swells with knowledge like the bud swells with new petals and nectar. Growing and giving a glimpse of what is to be.

Then, you really start learning and finding out new things for yourself. Some of them good. Some of them bad. Some of them painful. The sepals start to open. The rose is nearly ready to show you what she has.

Finally, the rose opens. Petals and scent spilling out and making the world even more beautiful than before. Your mind is like that, once you have grown into yourself. You add joy and beauty and ideas and kindness to the world. Other people are drawn to it like the bee is drawn to the rose. The gorgeous colors, scents, shapes combine to make a unique experience that no other rose can truly replicate. So it is with your mind. No one else will ever be you. No one has ever been you. You are unique, precious, and wonderful. Just like a new rose.