"Three Friends"

~There are three

friends of the winter:

the Pine Tree, the Plum Blossom, and Bamboo.

Pine Trees are strong.  They remain happy and green

throughout the year.

In the unbearable heat of summer 

and the severe cold of winter,

they Stand Unperturbed.

The crimson petals

of the Plum Blossom 

gleam brilliantly against the white snow,

with their magenta coloured flowers.

The ability to bloom in the midst of Misfortune

suggests Dignity and Forbearance

under harsh circumstances.

The Bamboo is the third

friend of winter.

Bamboo is Flexible,

bending with the wind but never breaking,

capable of adapting 

to any circumstance.

It suggests Resilience,

meaning we have the Ability to bounce back

from even the most difficult times.

Our Ability to thrive depends,

in the end,

on our Attitude 

to our Life's Circumstances.

~Take everything in stride

with Grace,

putting forth Energy

when it is Needed,

yet always staying Calm, Inwardly. 

~Ping Fu's "Shanghai Papa" 

China/U.S.A.

~Beannaichte'

5 November, 2013

@beannaichte.twitter.com