Stop And Shoot The Flowers
Just because something is a cliché, doesn’t mean it isn’t true.
In 2005, my son was only 3 years old and even then he knew that you need to stop and smell the flowers.
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This past week, I’ve been reminded of the wisdom behind that old cliché. As I drive to my office each day, I drive down a busy highway. Around the half-way point, I pass a very large field of sunflowers. EVERY DAY this week, there have been at least four cars stopped at the side of the road. People are taking time out of their busy morning commute to stop their vehicles at the side of a busy road, unload photography equipment and take photos of the spectacular site.
Part of me thinks that this may just be a reaction to all of the images we see of oil-soaked birds and earthquake-flattened villages. Perhaps these people just want to fill their eyes with something beautiful.
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So this morning, there were six vehicles pulled over. My car was number seven. I didn’t unload any fancy equipment or step ladders (yes, people bring ladders). I just hopped out with my trusty iPhone and scrambled down the side of the ditch. The atmosphere was more like a cocktail party than a roadside during the morning rush! Everyone was friendly and outgoing and intent on getting the perfect shot. I was just as interested in the photographers as I was in the sunflowers. I snapped a couple of pictures of the photographers and then a few of the field itself.
And that’s when I noticed it. The field of sunflowers was giving off a very distinct energy. Peaceful. Majestic. Powerful. It felt wonderful! I could have stayed there all day.
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This morning I learned that there’s a big difference between appreciating something as you speed past it every day and actually stopping to take part in the spectacle. This is true of sunflower fields and of your entire life! The choice is yours!
Are you going to Choose The Life You Want?
PS: I found some pictures online that were taken by one of the photographers. (MUCH better than the pictures from my phone.)
http://www.pbase.com/tstory/image/126871631
http://www.pbase.com/tstory/image/126893552
My name is Patrick Mathieu and I'm a speaker, author and coach. I developed The Power of Mortality™ and I've been featured in a full-length documentary film and appeared on numerous television and radio programs, including an hour-long interview with Dr. Oz on Oprah & Friends where we discussed my first book and my 
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I know that sunflower field! I passed it recently and there was a photographer there taking pictures that day too. I thought about stopping and then I wondered where I could turn around (since it’s a busy, fast highway) and whether it would be safe to stop the car by the side of the road . . . and then the field was gone, even from my rear-view mirror.
Hmmm. Maybe I’ll go back. Or at least think in terms of taking part in the spectacle the next time I fly past a beautiful scene!