The similarities between people and flowers…and dancing!

Last weekend I had some macro photo fun, and then more playtime with the photo editing software afterwards during the week.  Flowers are so delightful to me, from the tiny blue flowers that appear in the weeds in the alleyway, to the velveteen simplicity of the magnolia, and everything in between.  This flower is a horsemint growing in my wildflower container garden, rendered in black and white and then run through the sketch filter until I found the depths and shading that displayed the flower at its best, in my eyes.

Horsemint in sketch mode

 

People are like flowers too, in a way.  Some are full toned and have depth, and others are light and airy things.  We each begin as seedlings, growing, growing, until we reach maturity and time to bloom.  Some folks bloom early, and others are late bloomers.  Some are regal and elegant, like the magnolia, and others are scattered and all over the place, like the little blue weeds that bloom in the middle of the green strip in the alley.  Each flower usually has its admirer, and many of us enjoy all kinds of flowers, each type apropos for a particular setting.   As we collect friendships through our life, we build a flower garden of sorts.  There are those that thrive in any condition, any soil, through drought and heat and neglect, and then there are the fussy types, that must have everything perfect in order to thrive.  The first are the best friends, those that stand the test of time and bloom year after year and stay with you in times of stress, deprivation and pain – bringing joy in their blooming.  The latter are the on/off friends, perhaps really acquaintances, that are here for a season and then, through neglect or bad conditions, just don’t bloom long-term.  Some are very needy, having  a lot of  special needs  and requiring oodles of attention, and others are self-seeding, sturdy types, returning time after time with little care.  And the best type of all, are the ones that can bloom together without competition, but rather are complementary in their timing and interaction.

A friend of mine had her birthday gala this weekend at a local resort and lots of us showed up to eat, drink, dance and usher in another year for her.  It is a good group, and we always have fun.  I didn’t go down until the second day of festivities, and most everyone was feeling the after effects of the previous night, except for the birthday girl.  There was a nice dinner, cream cheese icing cupcakes, and a dance floor 🙂  I love to dance.  I dance at home, in the yard, in the car while driving.  It’s always a little difficult to just go out to dance and try to skirt the issue of pairing up.  But usually if we ladies go in a group, we can accomplish that with little problems.  Last night was such a night.  We danced, danced and danced some more.  We danced with people from Haiti, Scotland, Vegas, Kenya and uh, Pittsburgh!  We danced with young people, older people, people in wheelchairs and a wedding party.  The live band was excellent, and the DJ between sets nearly as good.   I got to partner dance, which I haven’t done in ages,  although I’m past the practice of low dips anymore, lol!  Especially with someone I just met.   Music is such a common connection between ages, races, genders – the faces of the people around me were happy, smiling, laughing.  There was no rudeness, no fighting, no leering, grabby types around.  Just folks out having a good time in the coastal outdoor air.  And I had a blast!  Everyone else hunkered down in the hotel room for the night, but I headed home to my own bed.  I’m not much for sleepovers 🙂

So often we hear of the rowdy, the ugly, the tawdry – when large groups of people plus alcohol are combined.  There was none of that. Just bodies moving, faces smiling, joy and laughter.  Oh, probably some this morning weren’t feeling quite as joyous as they were at the end of the night, this is true.  I just wanted to relate a positive experience for a change.  I’m not much of a crowd person, so I’m always a bit apprehensive going into such activities.  But I danced for nearly five hours straight, met great people of all ages and genders, smiled my face off and moved my body, all in the fresh air.  What fun!  Dancing is good for the spirit, no matter the form.  If you’re shy, dance in your house – move the dining room table to the side, crank up whatever music strikes your fancy, and move.  All of your body will be the happier for it.  Creativity in any form, be it music, dance, art, writing, feeds our souls.  We should all engage in it more often.  Life is often too darn serious!

That’s my challenge for you all this week.  Dance. Move. Smile. Lift your spirits.  Then make a habit of it!

Dancing off to the patio garden…

~SE