What an interesting title, right? It stems (no pun intended) from a neighbor's flower garden, and in that flower garden is a sign, "Grow Dammit." And I always laugh when I walk by it, but it brings up some valuable messages.

Recently, my boyfriend bought me three dozen roses for Valentines from Costco. They arrived from Columbia in great condition, and are so beautiful. As I was caring for them changing their water and cutting their stems, I was aware of a deeper message and it has to do with that sign.

I realized that each rose was at its own stage of development, and no rose was further along than the rest. They all were included in the bouquet, and I didn't want to serve as the judge in looking at those roses as to whom is blooming and who isn't. And how was I going to facilitate a faster growth .

This serves as a metaphor for our lives, and one in which I just have to stop and smell the roses . When I have been judgmental and hard on myself, it's because I believe that my growth should be something different. I haven't recognized my own blooming phase, and realize that I'm where I am, and I'm beautiful. These roses were delivered to me with an underlying message, and one that I am fully embracing.

Thus, maybe you can benefit as well. When you hear that internal voice that says, "Grow Dammit," realize that it's your own ego, your own physical mind, that wants you to be somewhere different. Yet, that somewhere different doesn't exist. With this said, you can quiet the mind, and says, "It's okay. I love where I am, and my blooms are beautiful." And then laugh because it feels good.

May you recognize your own growth, your own stage of evolution, and that it's absolutely perfect. By the way, I like you being part of my bouquet.