Act Like a Rose

Written by Salome Akwi

A Rose is a woody perennial flowering plant of the genus Rosa; The name Rose comes from French, itself from Latin Rosa. There are over a hundred species and thousands of cultivars and form a group of plants that can be erect shrubs, climbing or trailing with stems that are often armed with sharp Pricklesthat many of us refer to as “thorns” Flowers vary in size and shape and are usually large and showy, in colours ranging from white through yellows and reds.

I have always wondered why a Rose, beautiful as it is has prickles all around the stem and yet the Rose shoots out without any scratch. Nature has a way of preserving every species on this earth by giving each a unique defensive mechanism. In this case, Prickles in Roses are Nature’s way of protecting themselves against plant-eating animals since the flowers produced by rose flowers are extremely aromatic and naturally attract herbivores. Also, prickles protect them from being trampled over.  

They also allow the Rose to "hook onto" other plants for support especially for the climbing rose that goes up into a shrub or tree; Note that there is no way it could do that without the “thorns.”

When I look around me, I see prickles and actual thorns all in different forms; Daily life challenges like failed businesses, failed friendships, failed marriages, rejection, luck of money, betrayal, sickness, joblessness, childlessness, loss of loved ones, despair etc. These challenges each varying from individual to individual and however horrific they are, exist in order to Lift You up not to pull you down.   

Let not these challenges drown your dreams but use them to excel in your life because bad situations always come purposely to Push you to another level. Also keep in mind that nothing in life can be Accomplished without Hard work, Perseverance, Endurance and Pain. To sum up the saying, “NO PAIN, NO GAIN”  

PHOTO by Salome Akwi No matter the odds surrounding it, a Rose always stands out,
this batch caught my attention even in the darkness.

If you spend all your time talking about your challenges, that is all you will ever do But instead, talk about how you are going to overcome them and be the only ray of light in the dark. Act like a Rose.

Enjoy with me!!!