The Pursuit of Happiness

Over the past few years, I've given away hundreds of bouquets to unsuspecting people. It feels amazing. I've always been met with smiles.

One memorable moment was when I tried giving the gas station clerk a bouquet. It was late at night during Covid, and nobody else was in there. I knew somebody in that gas station was getting those flowers that night.

When I asked the man behind the counter if he'd like a free bouquet of flowers, he looked at me with confused face and said, "Well, I don't have a girlfriend...just a cat."

I paused, and asked again, "That's fine. But would you like these? They are totally free. I grow cut flowers that I sell, and I like to go around town and give away the extras."

His face lit up and he said, "Sure, if you don't have anyone else to give them to...I do like flowers as long as I can keep my cat out of them!"

Do I think he was a man who loves flowers? Nope. Do I think he was a man who likes flowers but never receives them? Absolutely.

Men can like flowers just as much as women, but our society makes it tougher for them to just go out and buy flowers for themselves like women do. Plus, when is the last time you've purchased flowers for a man? It just isn't likely to happen.

The truth is, flowers are nature. When humans can immerse themselves in nature, even for just minutes a day, positive changes happen in the brain. Studies prove it!

And if you can't be outside when you're cooking dinner or working long hours to pay the bills? You bring nature inside, of course.

You've probably heard of dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin. They are all "happy" chemicals that increase when we see flowers. Growing, touching, giving, or having flowers all increase these chemicals in our brain. We feel happier and have a more positive outlook--seems like a huge win, right? I mean, who doesn't want to be happier?!

Rutgers University even did a study that found having flowers in the office can increase innovative thinking, productivity, and helps foster a more positive environment.

There are so many studies like this. It's no accident that European households make purchasing fresh flowers part of their routine grocery budget.

What can you do if you can't afford fresh flowers every week? I know that in my household, fresh flowers used to be only for special occasions.

(Okay, okay. Now I have them everywhere during the growing season. And I'll definitely buy imports from the grocery store every few weeks this winter.)

That's one reason why I love to give flowers away when I can. Before I ever sold a single flower, my kids and I gave away over 250 bouquets around our community.

Recently I decided to spontaneously give away 15 bouquets in my stand to help alleviate the sadness after a tragic week. Those babies were gone within 75 minutes. All I did was post of Facebook.

People want to be happier.

Well, turns out you can accomplish the same thing without dropping money on fresh flowers.

Go on a short walk at a local park or even down the street. Buy a potted houseplant (but watch the lighting requirements so you aren't wasting your money). Get a small succulent for your windowsill.

It doesn't take much to experience the happiness of nature!

I'll keep giving away flowers whenever I can, and we all need to get outside for at least a few minutes every day. But, we gotta put down the phone and actually notice what's around us. Deal?