Like Water For Roses

Water. It's an amazing element. A powerful force of nature. A feminine, or yin, force of nature, according to ancient Chinese belief. One of many lessons God scattered around us in terms of wisdom.

Have you ever noticed how water run its course along the current? Next time you happen to see a river or even a tiny bubbling brook, stop for a while and take a closer look. When water hits a rock, it doesn't insist on pushing through by force. It just glides smoothly and gracefully around the obstacle, gently but purpose-fully continues to flow in its original course to the final destination. And along the way, it makes the greens grow. It satisfies those who are thirsty. It cleanses. It gives life, everywhere it goes.

"For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down

And do not return there till they have watered the earth,

Making it fertile and fruitful,

Giving seed to him who sow and bread to him who eats,

So shall My word be that goes forth from my mouth;

It shall not return to me void,

But shall do My will,

Achieving the end for which I sent it."

(Isaiah 55:10-11)

When I was younger, I was very headstrong and stubborn. (Well, I still am!) I saw flexibility, courtesy, and yielding to others as a sign of weakness. I focus on my ego instead of the end goal. On the momentarily flame of temper instead of the bigger picture.

Now I learn to take example from the wisdom of water.  Sometimes, many times in life, I need to comply and yield instead of forcing my way through. It doesn't mean I'm being wishy-washy. I keep the same destination in mind, but take some alternative routes because the highway is closed. It won't do good to force my way through, I might get hurt or hurt other people unneccessarily. And I'm not, and don't want to, become a childish bully who feels superior by making other feels inferior. When you are truly superior, you don't need to put others down. You don't respect people because who they are, but because who YOU are.

Who would dare to say that the flexible water is weak? Have you ever heard about tsunami? Have you ever read about the big flood in the Bible? Do you know that it can crack a giant stone with just tiny, but continuous drop?

And if it is believed that water represents the yin, the feminine, the female, then femininity must be very powerful indeed. And graceful. And life giving.

Afterall, doesn't 80% of human body consists of water?

For today's ensemble I try to incorporate that flexibility by combining pieces that I don't wear often. The 100% pink cotton shirt that is less than crisp since I was too lazy to iron it after doing my laundry. The knitted coral cardigan that is pretty but scratchy to the skin. The rose pin is a DIY project (I'm sure I can use a lot of this one!). The fanta color, flowery bag that is lovely but difficult to combine with anything since it has a very particular pink color.

The result is not so bad, isn't it? At least, I think so!

Pink cotton shirt: Marks N Spencer. Black pants: LOFT. Coral cardigan: unbranded, one of my Plaza Semanggi Jakarta Great Sale 2011 haul. Rose flower pin: DIY. Pink sandals: Yongki Komaladi. Fanta pink bag: Hana. Bracelets: Plaza Semanggi and Jerusalem buys. Heart shaped earrings: Lotus Department Store.

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