Small Acts of Kindness, With Flowers
Small acts of kindness
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Last week a friend stopped by with an assortment of treats to let me know she was thinking of me. I was rehabbing from a tough surgery and my road ahead seemed long. It still looks back at me today, weeks after her visit, cheerful as ever.
From day one, the bright mum made me feel loved, and even a bit physically better. I strategically placed the plant on a table viewable from any of the three places I sit. Granted, I wasn’t doing much at that time, other than healing. But I found myself thinking about that plant a lot, in those early days.
The power of giving and receiving
It’s no secret that giving makes us feel better. We read a lot about this. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a stranger who flashes you a broad smile, probably because they can see from our face how much we need it.
Other times, it’s the small acts of kindness that come at just the right moment that lift the weight of the world from our shoulders. This was one of those times. I knew the way this mum made me feel, had to far surpass the warm fuzzies my friend got from delivering it.
The power of flowers
I thought about why that plant lifted my spirits so much. Here’s the thing: Mums aren’t even close to my favorite flower. My tastes tend more toward lilies, especially in white or light pink. This mum was a yellow and orange combination, and its ‘pot’ was a bright orange bag.
A little bit of history on flower power
Anyone who’s received them knows that flowers have an almost immediate effect on our mood. They’re pretty and they make us feel loved. But experts say there’s even more to this equation. And the answer lies in psychology, biology, and even history.
The psychology of flowers
Flowers can release the release of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. And all these chemicals are considered “feel-good” chemicals. To take even a step further, these neurotransmitters are associated with happiness, relaxation, and a sense of connection.
The color psychology of flowers
Color psychology is real. We all know the power of certain colors to make a room feel inviting, make us look our best, or affect our mood. Bright, warm colors like yellow and orange are energizing colors and tend to help create a sense of happiness.
And it was strange – yellow and orange are not favorite colors of mine, but these flowers just seemed to radiate happiness. It was just what I’d needed. My friend must have known.
The nature effect
Connecting with nature, in its many forms, is proven to reduce anxiety and stress and promote a sense of tranquility. Obviously, flowers are a visual reminder of the beauty of nature, and they help keep us connected to the natural world. And they do this while bringing a bit of serenity into our lives and our living rooms.
Thoughtfulness and love
Receiving flowers means someone cares. It doesn’t need to be a romantic gesture, flowers from anyone can be an act of joy, comfort, and emotional connection. Just knowing someone took the time to grow, shop for, and either deliver or have delivered to you, flowers tell us someone’s thinking of us.
Flowers can be a reminder of impermanence
Again, I had time on my hands. But I spent a lot of time thinking on why this mum made me so happy. It wasn’t my favorite flower. It wasn’t even my favorite color. But this mum, this perennial, spoke volumes.
Annuals complete their lifespan from seed-to-seed all in one season. But perennials come back, starting slowly, but gaining speed until they’re as robust as they were the previous season.
The floral message I received
I have no idea if this correlation even crossed my friend’s mind when she picked out the mums. But as I looked at the small, bright plant every day, I started to think she’d meant to send me a message.
Her message? I would bloom again. The state I was in was temporary; I was dormant, just waiting to resurface.
And this, more than any favorite color or variety, was just what I needed staring me in the face as I recovered.
Last update on 2025-08-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
