Nurturing Relationships With Thich Nhat Hanh's 'Watering The Flowers' Practice

Lately, I’ve found myself returning to the gentle wisdom of Thich Nhat Hanh. His teachings—quiet yet powerful—have a way of reaching right into the heart and reminding us of what truly matters.

Thich Nhat Hanh, lovingly called Thay (which means “teacher” in Vietnamese), was a Buddhist monk, peace activist, poet, and beloved mindfulness teacher. Born in 1926 in central Vietnam, he passed away peacefully in January 2022 at the age of 95.

His life was a living example of presence, compassion, and peace.

Today, I want to share one of his practices that has touched me deeply—one that feels especially important in a world that moves so fast we often forget to truly connect. It’s called “Watering the Flowers,” and it’s about nurturing the relationships that matter most.

As Thich Nhat Hanh so beautifully said: "The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention."

And it’s this gift of attention that makes this practice so simple, yet so transformative.

We often think kind thoughts about people—but we don’t say them. Or we wait for the right moment, which sometimes never comes.

This practice, created by Thich Nhat Hanh, invites us to pause and step into the present moment with more intention. And today, I have the privilege of sharing it with you.

I truly believe that love is a boomerang.

Whatever you give out comes back to you—maybe not in the same way, but in energy, in presence, in peace.

That’s what A Call for Love is all about.

And that’s why I created Episode 87 of the podcast—and this blog post—to walk you through this gentle, powerful practice in real, simple steps.

This is something you can start today. Here's how:

🌼 Pause and Reflect

Take a moment. Close your eyes, breathe, and bring someone to mind.

It might be someone close to you. Or someone going through a hard time. Maybe it’s someone you’ve grown distant from, but they still live in your heart.

Ask yourself:Who could use a little more love right now?Who haven’t I reached out to in a while—just to say I’m thinking of them, and I care?

This isn’t about fixing anything. It’s about offering your presence—pure and simple.

🌼 🌼 Name the Goodness

Now gently bring to mind something specific you appreciate about this person. Not just “hope you’re well” or “thanks”—but something real. Something they may not even see in themselves.

You might say: ✨ “I woke up this morning thinking how lucky I am to call you a friend.” ✨ “I’ve been holding onto how much it meant that you sat with me last week and just let me talk—it made me feel so seen.” ✨ “You have this beautiful way of getting things done with grace and focus. I really admire that.”

Let it come from your heart. The more honest and specific it is, the more deeply it will land.

🌼 🌼 🌼 Express It Out Loud or in Writing

Now comes the most important part: don’t keep it to yourself.

Say it out loud. Write it in a note. Send a quick text.

Or, one of my personal favourites—leave a voice message.

There’s something sacred about someone hearing the love in your voice. The tone carries tenderness. Let them hear it. Let it be received.

🌼 🌼 🌼 🌼 Stay Present

Kindness can be uncomfortable to receive. How often do we brush it off with, “Oh, it was nothing,” or “Anyone would’ve done the same”?

But this is where your presence matters most.

Pause and stay with them. Let them take it in—even if they fumble or deflect at first.

And if you’re the one being watered today… Try this: just place your hand over your heart and say, “Thank you.” Let it in.

🌼 🌼 🌼 🌼 🌼 Make It a Gentle Habit

You don’t need to wait for a big moment.

Each day, simply ask yourself:

“Whose flower can I water today?”

It could be your partner. A friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. A parent, a child, a neighbour. Even a stranger.

Small acts. Real love.

Ripples that reach farther than you’ll ever know.

Life moves fast. We’re pulled in so many directions—responsibilities, commitments, the endless to-do lists. It’s easy to let days slip by without reaching out… Without saying the words we’re thinking… Without tending to the relationships that matter most.

But here’s the truth: Love needs tending. Not in grand, sweeping gestures—but in quiet, consistent acts of presence.

When we pause to water the flowers of our relationships—with a kind word, a small gesture, a moment of appreciation—we remind others they are seen, valued, and loved. And in doing so, we remind ourselves of the kind of life we want to live.

A life rooted in care. A life aligned with the heart. A life that says, “You matter to me,” in both word and action.

So today, I invite you to pause. Reach out. Speak your love.

Water someone’s flower—and watch what blooms.