The Courage to Stand Alone
I walked past the community garden this morning and noticed that the landscapers had been through. Everything was clipped back, neat, and uniform. It felt a bit sterile, honestly. But then, tucked away near the edge of the path, I saw one single bloom holding its ground. It wasn’t part of a grand display or a manicured bed; it was just there, vibrant and completely unbothered by the empty space around it. It made me think about how often we feel the need to blend in or wait for a crowd to feel valid. We worry about being the only one left standing when the seasons change or when the plans we made fall away. But there is a quiet, stubborn strength in simply existing when everything else has been cleared out. You don’t need a chorus to be heard, and you don’t need a garden to be beautiful. Sometimes, being the only one left is exactly how you find your own color.
Siew Bee Lim has captured this feeling perfectly in the image titled One Purple Flower. It reminds me that standing alone is often the most honest way to be seen. Does this image make you feel lonely, or does it feel like a quiet victory to you?
