Sunflowers

Have you ever wondered what’s in a name?

Many of us are named after a significant person or one that has some root meaning.

Take the Sunflower – named for it’s golden ray-like petals and large face that resemble the sun.

Not only does their physical appearance relate to the sun but also their mannerisms. The flower head points due east in morning as to greet the rising sun, follows the sun throughout the day, and says goodnight due west at sunset.

But why is this? After digging around a bit I found several theories. (the former 1st grade teacher in me had to have conclusion before bedtime). Ha!

One reason in particular stuck out amongst the rest…

Sunflowers track the sun so that light will warm the flower, thereby making it more attractive to pollinators. A study done in 2006 at Cambridge University demonstrated that bees prefer warm nectar. Hence flowers are equipped with special cells that collect solar energy to warm the petals and in turn, the nectar.

Like sunflowers, beauty is not found only in the physical but also in character.

We’re all familiar with the common saying, “Look on the Bright Side.” Optimism is that bright side. The side that faces the sun.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines optimism as having “hopefulness and confidence about the future or successful outcome of something; a tendency to take a favourable or hopeful view.” The word is originally derived from the Latin optimum, meaning “best.” Being optimistic, in the typical sense of the word, ultimately means one expects the best possible outcome from any given situation.

Those who are optimistic radiate beauty. They know that not every day is good… but there’s something good in every day.

May the sun & sunflower be physical reminders to look at life optimistically, to be warm to others and ourselves, and to know that with the rising of the sun each new day has something good to be found.

And as an added superficial bonus… an optimistic attitude that’s bright & warm will always be more attractive, plain & simple.

I don’t think I’ll ever look at sunflowers in the same light again.

• Wardrobe
• Wedge (not pictured) – Target
• Jeans – Seven for All Mankind
• Belt – Gap
• Gingham Shirt – AF
• Open Cardigan – AF
• Hair – Braided Side Bun
• Watch – Michael Kors
• Floral bowtie – used a fabric belt from an existing cardigan