Narcissus flowers (a.k.a. daffodils)

The Greek myth of Narcissus teaches that we must love someone aside from ourselves.

Narcissus was born beautiful and prophesied to live a long life, so long as he never came to know himself. He lived happy, confident, and free until he was cursed to love someone who could not love him in return. Narcissus was cursed because he refused to love the nymph Echo. He soon came to see himself, for the first time, and fell in love with his own reflection.

Narcissus wasted away on the shoreline where his reflection stared back at him, and in the spot where he died a flower bloomed. Today that flower is called the narcissus or the daffodil.

We can learn a lot from the mythological beginnings of this flower.

 First, it’s better to get to know ourselves early in life (unless Tiresias says you will die upon learning that knowledge 🙂 ). Seek to know who you truly are.

 Second, a willingness to love those who are different than ourselves will earn us greater rewards and fewer missed opportunities (and even fewer curses).  Love those you encounter.

 Third, when we don’t let go of things that are beyond our control, we miss out on the beauty that exists around us. All that remains is a memory of wishing for what we didn’t have. Observe and rejoice in the phenomena occurring around you and appreciate the diversity that our world provides.

Put your energy into loving the marvel that is you. Enjoy the miracles that being positive can bring.

By: Melanie A. Peters