The life of a lily

One of my favourite flowers is the lily. When placed in a vase, lilies usually last about one to two weeks—but with care, they can survive up to three.

Over those few weeks, you can witness the lily’s quiet transformation day by day. It begins as a closed, green bud, then slowly opens into a full bloom that fills the room with fragrance. Soon after, it begins to wilt; the soft white pollen falls, the petals fade and detach, and eventually, it’s time to say goodbye—clean the vase, replace the water, and welcome new flowers.

I get to see it all—the youth, the blossoming, the fading, and the farewell. It’s like watching a human life unfold: birth, growth, ageing, and passing, all within a few short weeks. Those who tend carefully to their lilies may prolong their beauty for a while, but in the end, we all have to part ways. Only the vase remains—to hold life for the next bloom.

Sometimes, watching the cycle of a lily makes me reflect on my own life. What I do today may not show results immediately. But if I imagine myself as a lily with only two or three weeks to live—and everything I do now will bear fruit within days—would I still choose to spend my time the same way?

If the flower represents our life, I’d like to place mine in the right vase—one that keeps me healthy, fulfilled, and surrounded by joy. The lily doesn’t just ask me questions; often, it also answers them—reminding me what truly matters in each passing moment.