Nowadays, college life consists of a never-ending whirlwind of responsibilities, deadlines and errands. Somewhere in between the madness, it's essential to stop we're doing, take a deep breath and look around. There is much comfort to be found in the world surrounding us. In particular, flowers with their open, generous beauty have much wisdom to share with those willing to listen.

I hope after you read this article, you'll return to your life comforted by the ancient knowledge that's been blooming beneath your feet all this time, waiting for you to notice it.

1. Sunflowers: create your own sunshine

Roald Dahl said, "If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely." There is a reason we flock to sunflower fields. Even on the rainiest of days, sunflowers manage to radiate beauty, opening their golden petals to the world. Similarly, when people radiate positivity and hope, it fosters a warm presence that attracts all the right people. When you stop searching for peace in your environment and realize that true happiness comes from within, nothing will be able to stop your spirit from shining for the world to see.

2. Wildflowers: there is much beauty in a strong spirit

Nobody waters wildflowers, yet still they exist. The wildflowers flourishing between our pavement cracks are living proof you can grow in the most unlikely places. If you feel like the whole world is against you, understand that you possess the inner strength to transform your pain into beauty. Follow your instincts, do what is best for you, grab hold of the blessings around you and have faith that beautiful times are on the horizon. If you have the courage to make the best of what you're given, you will become a little stronger and a lot spunkier than before. After all, we can agree that wildflowers are the spunkiest flowers of them all.

3. Roses: the presence of thorns indicates there's something to protect

Roses are one of the most widely admired blossoms, but one must handle them with delicate care to fully appreciate their beauty. Similar to humans, roses arm themselves with all kinds of weapons to protect their precious inner selves. It takes patience to hold someone with thorns around their heart, but there is a valid reason these thorns exist. Once you appreciate someone enough to treat them with the delicacy they deserve, you will be rewarded with beauty that is well worth the wait.

4. Lotus: beauty can arise from deprivation

The lotus, a symbol for purity and rebirth in many cultures, grows in muddy swamp waters far from any sunlight. Yet somehow for thousands of years, the lotus has continued to flourish in one of the foulest environments imaginable. Overcoming great obstacles yields beauty of the highest quality. If you are going through a tough time, nourish the seed of hope inside your soul with inner strength. You will burst forth above your struggles into a splendid blossom unsoiled by your past...just like the lotus.

5. Tulips: nothing worthwhile comes instantaneously

We plant rock-like bulbs into the dirt during fall and wait months until spring to see a tulip blossom. Tulips are finicky, you must plant them at exactly the right time. If the earth hardens, it's too late. The same is true for many decisions we make in our lives. Timing is everything. Plants possess a biological clock that tells them when to blossom.

Similarly, humans have an internal clock called our instinct. Listen to your soul and don't rush what seems unnatural, because nature is never in a rush. If you try to open a bud before it is ready, the bud rips apart. Never stress that the results of your actions aren't coming fast enough, you're doing the best you can. Take a deep breath, look at all the beauty around you and smile.