I frequently read about taking time to smell the roses.

It’s a metaphor for taking time out, reflecting on life,relaxing. In that sense it is worthwhile.

Thinking about it though, it is an even greater metaphor for the broader activities of life. Producing a bed of great roses is hard work. You buy them, normally bare root, plant them, irrigate, fertilize, spray for aphids and black spot, dead head, prune back – all the time avoiding deep scratches from vicious thorns. However, it is very rewarding when you get the first blush, and if you have planted floribunda, an ongoing succession of the most magnificent flowers. Smelling the roses is a joy…….. but it can be incredibly satisfying and rewarding creating that opportunity.

Such is life. There is joy in much of what we do, but the real payback is knowing that our hard earned endeavors have created something special. It is true in our work lives, our private lives, encouraging our children and grandchildren to grow and in contributing to our community.

To maximize our personal satisfaction we should try and find joy in everything we do. Enjoy all the activities in the process, and not just the end result. Enjoying digging the hole to plant the roses can be as fulfilling as smelling them once they have bloomed! Most of our time is taken up with work, the daily chores of living- learning to love that and finding moments of joy multiplies our personal satisfaction.