the flower of you

cultivate compassion

for yourself, for those around you, for the world

like you would cultivate a seed-

tend to it, understand it, care for it.

pour the water of understanding

on the seeds in your heart

until you are rooted in compassion

until you are a sunflower

pointed towards the sun

of love, compassion, understanding.

when weeds of suffering grow,

remember that you are the garden and the gardener;

when you are mindful of the suffering,

you may let it consume you,

but just as you can be mindful of suffering,

you can be mindful of the joys and wonders of every moment:

the flowers around you,

the flowers within you,

and the flower of you.