For as long as I can remember, I've had a love of sunflowers. I don't really know specifically why but I have a few ideas. Maybe it's because they are yellow, my favorite color. Maybe it's because they have pretty petals that make them look like a star. Maybe it's because of their (no pun intended) sunny disposition. Perhaps I love them for all those reasons and probably more that I haven't thought of yet.

Sunflowers simply brighten my mood.

All of my friends and family know that they way to my heart is through sunflowers. I've been lucky enough to have people in my life surprise me with them. Whether the reason was because I was sick or I was having a bad day. Sometimes, I received them simply just because. Sunflowers are my favorite flower and the people in my life know me well enough to remember that.

There are many reasons why I think we should all imitate the carefree, positive energy that sunflowers posses. These bright, beautiful flowers stand tall under any circumstance. That's just like how I want to be. Strong and resilient no matter what is thrown my way. They can stand alone or in a group of many and still shine. They hold themselves high and point upwards. That is what we should all do, point ourselves towards better and brighter things. Sunflowers can be damaged, just like us human beings. A petal may be torn or the stem may be shorter than normal. But they still thrive and get better. They are still desirable as we human beings are too.

So the next time you see a stray sunflower in places like your local park or your mom's garden, think of it as more than just a flower. Think of it as life's little reminder to be the best you can be and that things are always looking up!

Here are some sunflower quotes to live by:

"We're all golden sunflowers inside." - Allen Ginsberg

"Does she realize she looks like a sunflower, ready to rain sunlight on all who look down upon her?" - Simone Elkeles

"The sunflower is mine, in a way." - Vincent van Gogh

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow." - Helen Keller