Liezyl Mantaring

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SUNFLOWER STORY

“Winners never quit and quitters never win.”

“That’s the great thing about plants, they are never thinking just about themselves. They think about
the next generation.” We mostly think about only ourselves. We think about what we have, what we
want, what we can get and how we can keep it. We worry more about whether we will have a rich enough
life, than if we will enjoy a good enough life.

Lesson one was to keep on growing. Although fall was closing in and the nighttime temperatures were
dipping to the freezing mark, these flowers kept on growing. They taught me that I don’t have to have
ideal conditions to grow. Personal growth is achievable in all seasons of my life.

The second lesson was to keep my head high. No matter what happens, it’s important to keep looking
up. Even though I make mistakes, God can redeem them. I can’t be used by him if I’m standing in despair
with my head hung in shame. It’s God’s plan and not my own that I need to trust in.

The next lesson was to spread seeds of happiness. I’ve learned that one sunflower can have up to 2,000
seeds. The black seeds make oil and the striped ones are for snacking. This taught me that I don’t have to
be the same as everyone else in order to spread seeds of happiness. I can do this through words of
support and encouragement, through acts of service, a smile or a hug. The positive effects get passed on
and the results can be far reaching.

Lesson four was to focus on the sunny side. Sunflowers turn their heads to face the sun. Helen Keller
said “Keep your face to the sun and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do.” I like that
thought. For me it means to keep my eyes on the Lord and let his light shine on me. When I find myself
temporarily in the shadows, I have faith that he will lead me through them and into the sun once again.