I snapped this photo a couple weeks ago at the Topsfield Fair. My husband and I had gone out on a rainy afternoon to enjoy a date day, and to see the Monster Truck Rally.

If you know me, going to 4-H styled events and Monster Truck Rally’s is not up my ally.

But, for my husband they are a yearly tradition, deep with childhood memories and full of meaning. So, I pulled on my boots and we went.

And, I had a blast.

In between rain showers we would grab some fall fair food, take a look at the different booths around the fair grounds, and when it would pour, we would take long-winding walks through the fair’s themed barns. One had poultry (never knew there were so many different kinds of chickens), another had bunnies (we almost left with a new family members), and one was full of flowers.

That’s where I snapped this photo.

The blooms originally caught my eye. The vibrant colors popped against the stark white background. Then my eyes moved down towards the clear, see-through vase.

Carrots.

Roots.

All of the other flower arrangements hid the roots and stems – the “non-important” part. The part that isn’t “pretty”. We are all here to see the pretty blooms, right?!

The moment I saw the roots, I was captivated and even a little humbled.

How many times have we ignored or pushed away our roots and what grounds us, in order to try to focus more on our prettier bloom? Those roots, stems, thorns all help those blooms grow – so why do we hide them?

While I may not have grown up going to fall fairs, being close to farm animals or competing in 4H activities – my husband did. To be able to go to the fall festivals together (whether they are in Indiana or in Massachusetts), allows me to get to know another side of him. For me to learn more about who he is, and what his roots are.

And in doing that, I learn a little bit more about myself.

We ignore the roots sometimes because we don’t hear the compliments, we don’t get the likes, and we don’t get the “good job” for having a strong conviction, good soul and good roots.

Today, I want you to give yourself those compliments by digging deep and doing something that feeds your soul today.

Not for the likes. Not for the ‘gram. Just for you.

Show off those carrots, roots, and stems that have helped you bloom into the marvelous human that you are right now.

Do it for you.