Peony is an explosion of exquisite beauty. Like short lived fireworks, they burst their petals with power and punch the air with colour. They show gust. They show flair. They ooze confidence I strive to attain in my life. That’s why the peony is my favourite flower. The mass of petals reflects all whom I love. A peony’s presence is a comforting one. I must say.

Resilience. I believe everyone can resonate with this term because life is hard enough for us to realise that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, no matter how green it may seem on social media. No matter how rosy the smiles we display are in our photos. No matter how much we earn.

Ultimately, I am victim to challenges. I am vulnerable to pain. I am weakened by the knees from expectations coming in all directions. The only way I can sustain a level of sanity is to recognise I am not alone. We all enter tunnels where we can’t seem to see the light, however long we are trapped in there. But by the end of the tunnel, there eventually will be. A glimmer of hope will always shine through because if we are here on this earth for a reason, should it not be centred on our interconnectedness. What I am doing right now, the mood I am in, the plans I have ahead for the day, is reflected upon the level of my resilience. As I look back to what I have been through, one cannot compare one’s pain, because as life as we know it can knock us in the teeth at any time, under whatever circumstance, however serious it may seem. The default weapon for me is resilience.

And sometimes it’s not utilised to my own advantage. Or I don’t react quick enough for me to dissipate the problem I am faced with. What do I do? Well… I don’t drink alcohol..because I choose not to.. but instead I acknowledge my pain, and I seek comfort from someone. That specific person who can shoulder, who can empathise, who can strengthen and catch every single breath shuddered with panic. And place their heart in your hands telling you what you need to hear and what you shouldn’t feed your mind with. What I am trying to say, resilience comes from within but it also can be scaffolded by the engineering minds of others. Who in their righteous ways can provide so much as a listening ear, a look of understanding or advice. Simply. One cannot exist without the other. We depend on each other because we care. However dark are days are, I believe there is someone out there waiting for you to come under their light, into their warm embrace. For that’s the beauty of resilience. It’s the direction of the arrow I choose to take, so I can target my downfalls, and walk away with my own lantern through the tunnels I needn’t be scared of.

I just stepped out into my back garden to discover my favourite flower has blossomed. Peony, pleased to marvel at your beauty.

Inspired by the painting of flowers I did yesterday. Enjoy.

Petals dance to the soft breeze

Their pretty heads bob to the sound of rain

Silent giggles surface as the pitter patter of drops bounce.

Above,

Clouds sprawl across the sky with elegance

As curtains

They open-

Unleashing the bold sun showering yellow glitter-

A rainbow resides.

Their faces lift up to the magical scene

Beaming with colour

They sway with the trees.

Butterflies flitter flutter with elation

Around infinite beauty

The flowers

Give.

🌸

A lovely person sent me a beautiful photograph they took of these delicate flowers on a branch this morning. They made my day. So I decided to paint it in watercolour (sorry if it’s not clear🙊) Thank you. You know who you are. ☺️

A lovely person sent me a beautiful photograph they took of these flowers on a branch this morning. They made my day. So I decided to paint it in watercolour. (sorry if it’s not clear 🙊) Thank you. You know who