You don't have to be a flower

Below is the English translation of some Women's Day promotion ads on the outdoor screen at a mall in Chengdu, China.

I like that! 

"Growing without definition" -- I especially like that!

"Growing without definition" -- this should apply to any human being! Why put your sons, daughters, nephews, nieces, and grandchildren into tiny dark boxes that "society" picks for you? Who is this authoritative "society" guy? What can he offer? What else can he offer us besides misery, exploitation, and desperation? Sounds like we should rid him right this moment!

Any sacred being given life in this universe deserves to grow in whatever way it chooses, as long as it's in harmony with itself, nature, and its surroundings. And that, my friend, is the ultimate truth in this universe; anything else is simply bullshit, which is fabricated to amass power and establish control over you.

We were so indoctrinated growing up. Even before our births, we were pre-defined and pre-assigned based on where, when, who, and how our inherited family was. The break of social classes was unimaginable until recently. But after a mere few hundred years, people again find themselves amid worsening cases of class solidification. Sharing what they possess is far from being considered essential to the core social structure. In contrast, in this current setup done by men from history to now, possessing and owning only is the core. 

Even among all men, they couldn't sort out a better system that would avoid or reduce conflicts and wars for tens of thousands of years. Women, we are merely objects for them to own and possess.

Hence why? Why should this society exert such power and control over me? Why should it impose, and why should I accept its definition of me? And if I reject their definition of me, I should reject their definition of love, affection, relationship, fulfillment, and all. 

Henceforth, I should only experience what's left in my journey here without presumption and anticipation; I should measure the depth and meaningness of my time here with nothing this society could offer. I might still be the object that gets owned and passed around; I might never be able to recreate a system where I'm 100% free. But my mind, my spirit, you can't bend. 

"Growing without definition" -- I especially like that!      

You don't have to be a flower, you can be a thorny bush, born sharp. 

You don't have to be a flower, you can be a weed, growing wantonly. 

You don't have to be a flower, you can be a pea, forever alive.

You don't have to be a flower, you can be a Houttuynia Cordata, never pander. 

You don't have to be a flower, you can be a flower, a tree, flowing water, a bird, anything and everything. 

I wish you grow to your heart's desire, growing without definition and without constraints.

你不必是一朵花，你可以是荆棘，天生锋芒。

你不必是一朵花，你可以是野草，肆意生长。

你不必是一朵花，你可以是豌豆颠，永远鲜活。

你不必是一朵花，你可以是折耳根，从不迎合。

你不必是一朵花，你可以是花、是树、是流水、是飞鸟、是万物。

祝你自然生长，无需定义。