Norbert Čapek, 20th Century Czech Unitarian minister, developed the Flower Festival as a way to recognize that like a bouquet of flowers, each of us brings a different sort of beauty and a different perspective to our community. Here is his prayer over the flowers:
“Infinite Spirit of Life, we ask thy blessing on these, thy messengers of fellowship and love. May they remind us, amid diversities of knowledge and of gifts, to be one in desire and affection and devotion to thy holy will. May they also remind us of the value of comradeship, of doing and sharing alike. May we cherish friendship as one of thy most precious gifts. May we not let awareness of another’s talents discourage us, or sully our relationship, but may we realize that whatever we can do, great or small, the efforts of all of us are needed to do thy work in this world.”
Notice and appreciate the beauty in the differences you see in others today.