One day Alina heard that her best friend Saira’s grandmother wasn’t well. So Alina decided to visit her. Along the way, she stopped to buy some flowers. She carefully selected the fresh blooms and asked the florist to make a beautiful bouquet.

When she reached Saira’s house, she rang the door bell. As she stepped in, her friend came running to meet her. They hugged and laughed, happy to see each other.

“Where’s dadi jaan? I know she’s not feeling very well so I brought her flowers to cheer her up,” said Alina. Saira took her to her grandma’s room.

Dadi jaan was absolutely delighted with the flowers. She kissed her, and said, “May Allah bless you for your thoughtfulness. These flowers are so beautiful! Thank you, Alina.”

Yes, it was indeed thoughtful and very kind of Alina. She knew that someone was feeling under the weather so she not only decided to pay a visit, but also to take flowers so as to brighten up their day.

Certainly, flowers have a unique language of their own. They are used on happy occasions and in times of grief. Moreover, flowers are, possibly, the most inspired gift.

Birthday bouquets add colour and delight to the special day. Weddings just simply have to have flowers, artistically arranged everywhere — on the stage, at the tables, in jacket lapels and, most importantly, neatly intertwined in the beautiful bride’s hair.

Even anniversaries of weddings are perfect reasons to present a bouquet to the blessed couple. Ever noticed the delight on nana and nani’s faces when handing them flowers, along with the congratulatory embrace? Yes, their beaming smiles make your day, I’m sure.

Passing exams or getting promotions are momentous events for giving flowers. After all, the individual has worked hard, toiled much and merits a reward.

An unexpected bouquet of flowers can really pick someone up and lift them to a happier level of existence, at least for a week.

The sweet reminder of your love, warmth and regard will provide more pleasure simply because it’s a surprise. Don’t be astonished if their mouth is left agape with joyous wonder and gratitude!

Interestingly, Rutgers University researcher Jeanette Haviland-Jones, Ph.D., director of the university’s Human Emotions Lab, explored what the gifts we choose say about who we are and whether they affect how we are perceived. The research reveals that those who send flowers, in comparison to other gifts, are viewed as successful, caring and emotionally intelligent people.

More specific findings include:

•    People who give flowers are perceived as happy, achieving, strong, capable and courageous.

•    Such people come across as more emotionally intelligent; they give the impression they can effectively express their feelings and take time to understand the feelings of others.

•    Female floral gifters are viewed as more appreciative of beauty and nature.

She goes on to say, “Flowers have evolved to activate positive emotional responses from people. Each bloom has the potential to put a smile on our face and sway our opinion of a friend, colleague or loved one. That’s powerful.”

In a nutshell, not only do flowers make us happy, but they are good for our emotional wellbeing as they strengthen our connection with others.

M.J. Rya, award-winning author of the Random Acts of Kindness book series and The Giving Heart, wisely says, “A successful person is not necessarily someone with a lot of money and material goods, but rather someone who is in tune with people and knows how to touch their hearts.”