Stop and Smell the Roses
I have some lovely friends. Last night at game night, one of my friends brought me some food and some flowers. I am in the early stages of recovering from my leg injury and for me it was just nice hanging out with people. I am unlikely to leave my apartment for a while. And it is important to appreciate the small joys in life.
Today’s phrase is stop and smell the roses. And the phrase means to enjoy the smaller things in life and the beauty around you. South Korea moves fast. The 바리 바리 lifestyle is often criticized for creating too much pressure in society. I know a lot of foreigners who would encourage Koreans to stop and smell the roses. A number of participants in my 20 Questions for a Foreigner series (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7npvEJ-H24M&list=PLS4yVJzUEyHtum3TLUV2f_i81ivjWtwZM) have mentioned the pressures of living in Korea and that slowing down would help mental health.
I like the phrase stop and smell the roses because of the image that it makes in my mind. I picture busy city streets with everyone rushing from here to there and someone wearing colorful clothes leaning over the side of a bench sniffing at rose bush. I envy that person. I am NOT that kind of person. Even on vacation I can’t sit still. I would go crazy at a resort. I need to be out exploring and on my way to the next thing. Hopefully as I get older, I can learn to stop and smell the roses.
When is the last time you stopped to smell the roses?
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