In NYC, one sees it all. On our latest trip we walked through a farmers' market in Union Square. They were selling the usual- fruits, veggies, organic beef, cheese and flowers. At the flower stall there were lovely bunches of gladiolus, zinnias and a small container of "Asters, $5 a bunch". I did a double take when I saw the asters. They looked like the weeds that are growing in one of my gardens. I had been meaning to pull it but haven't yet.

Just goes to show you- what one person calls a weed, another calls a bouquet.

Guess that is true to life. What one person deems necessary another calls frivolous. What one person calls beliefs another calls lunacy. What one person calls a problem another calls an opportunity.

What the asters remind me is that I should always try and maintain a different perspective. They are a reminder that there are always two, possibly more sides to a situation, problem or story. Sometimes it takes a different view to look upon something with fresh eyes and to see a different value.

I have decided not to pull up those asters and see if they spread. In checking my Stokes Nature Guides: A Guide to Enjoying Wild Flowers book there is a whole section on asters. The name comes from the Greek word, "star" and they are part of the Composite family. In my eagerness to pull them out, I didn't even research or find out any more information about these so-called "weeds". I am glad that I payed attention. I just might just get a lovely and unexpected bouquet out of them.

What about you? Are you seeing a situation, problem or story with the same set of eyes? Do you need a new perspective to bring a different value to it? Do you need some more information before you make a judgement? What are the opportunities in your challenges? How can you rethink the weeds in your life? Are there weeds in your life that are bouquets in someone else's?