Two yellow flowers that gracefully complemented each other instead of enviously competing with one another

Two yellow flowers amidst green leaves © Nick Karean

As I framed them on camera and gazed at the beauty of these two bright yellow flowers amidst the verdant foliage of lush green leaves beside a commuter station in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, I was reminded to look deeper beyond the obvious and reflect upon nature’s profound wisdom.

The pair just stood there side by side, peacefully complementing each other instead of enviously competing with one another. 

One flower stood prominently in the foreground, while the other bloomed a little further back. Neither needed to outshine the other. Together, their contrasting positions and bright colors created a beautiful scene against the dense green leaves.

I felt a sense of gratitude as I connected with the two flowers who helped me self-reflect… how nature’s lessons of humility can teach us to live in peace and harmony… if we just take the time to stop and listen attentively.

Looking at them reminded me of a wise quote attributed to one Zen teacher who said:

“A flower doesn’t think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms.”

KOSHIN OGUI, ZEN SHIN TALKS

The flower quote is a metaphor for a way of approaching life, not a literal statement about botany or plant behavior. Its message is in learning to grow without letting comparison dictate our sense of worth. 

The flowers’ eco-friendly nature, symbolizing an ego-free way of life, just basking in the sun and swaying in the gentle breeze, is an inspiration for all of us to live by… and even mirror its message… in our way of life.

Growth isn’t a competition, and comparison breeds insecurity. You need not outshine others. You just cultivate and blossom where you’re planted.

Like these two flowers, we too can occupy different positions in life without competing for the same space. Someone else's talents don't diminish ours, just as another person's achievements don't erase what we have or haven't accomplished.

We all have different experiences, circumstances, and opportunities. Our journeys don't follow the same timeline, and there's no universal measure of how fast we should achieve our goals, success, or dreams.

There is also something liberating about growing without constantly seeking recognition, validation, or approval from others. We can improve ourselves, pursue our ambitions, and appreciate our progress without needing to prove that we are better than someone else.

Of course, striving to improve isn't a bad thing. The important distinction is whether we are trying to become better versions of ourselves for us or trying to become better versions of ourselves for others out of a need to surpass them.

These flowers gave me a silent reminder that personal growth doesn't have to be a competition. We can appreciate what others bring into the world while finding contentment in our own journey.

Two yellow flowers amidst green leaves © Nick Karean

The best thing we can do is stop looking sideways, focus on our own growth, and allow ourselves the time and space to gracefully bloom in nature just like those two beautiful flowers in the picture.