Three Quotes and an Amaryllis

I’ve alway been confused by when spring officially starts. On the radio this morning I heard that today, 1st February, is the first day of spring. Considering it’s zero degrees out there and there’s plenty of frost about it’s hard to believe.

But according to the Celtic tradition, which is based solely on daylight and the strength of the noon sun, spring begins in early February and continues until early May.

Today I’ve two photos of my amaryllis finally blooming. It looks fantastic and it was wonderful to watch it grow.

So to mark the occasion I want to share three quotes, loosely connected by flowers or things in bloom.

To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.

William Blake – from Auguries of Innocence

One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.

Dale Carnegie

The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.

Thich Nhat Hanh