"Nobody sees a flower really; it is so small. We haven't time, and to see takes time - like to have a friend takes time"

Georgia O’Keeffe’s remark reflects on the limitations of modern perception and the pace of daily life, inviting reflection on how people interact with beauty and meaning. By stating that nobody truly sees a flower, she suggests that the depths of simple, everyday things often go unnoticed. Flowers, ordinary yet intricate, symbolize aspects of the world that are overlooked due to their smallness or the assumption that they are already known. The flower stands as a metaphor for anything of quiet beauty or subtle complexity in life: moments, relationships, art, and even the inner lives of others.

O’Keeffe points to the demands of time, noting that contemporary life doesn’t afford the pauses needed for close, attentive observation. Life’s busyness distracts people from mindful seeing. The act of careful observation, of perceiving the uniqueness and wonder of a flower, requires presence and patience, qualities often in short supply. Simply glancing at something does not equate to truly seeing it. Genuine appreciation grows from sustained attention, yielding deeper understanding and empathy.

Her analogy deepens with the comparison to friendship, emphasizing that both seeing and forging relationships require investment. Just as a single glance cannot reveal the entirety of a flower’s design or fragrance, a superficial connection cannot reveal the heart of a friend. Relationships thrive on time, care, and the willingness to attend to another’s reality. Understanding another person requires listening, patience, and openness; it is a continual process, not a hurried transaction.

O’Keeffe’s words are ultimately a meditation on slowing down and cultivating attentiveness. They encourage the reader to carve out time not only for art or nature but for meaningful interactions with others. Through intentional seeing and devoted companionship, the world’s subtleties come into focus, transforming the ordinary into something remarkable and deeply appreciated.