" One day, the lotus spoke again. " You remember me? The flower that grows through the mud?" I did. I said as much. " Have you ever considered my significance? I'm everywhere - art, religion, nature.... Have you ever wondered why?" ... It spoke, " Nothing touches me. I radiate beauty. You can do the same." " How?" I asked. " Easy," it said. " I grow in a pond. I take the water and nutrients I need to grow, and let the rest sink to the bottom. What's in mud, anyway? Water, nutrients, life and a little bit of sludge. Let the sludge go like I do. Then stand tall above the leaves. "