It's natural for a violet to blossom like a violet and for a rose to blossom like a rose.  There is no need for violets to produce rose blossoms.  We are all like violets or like roses, but we defeat ourselves by thinking, "I'm like a violet but I'm not satisfied with producing violet blossoms.  I want to produce rose blossoms." If a violet can't produce a violet blossom, its life is defeated and it's of no use. But you don't need to decide if you're a violet or a rose. Your life is yours and it is limitless in its potential. 

 - Adapted from Uchiyama's The Zen Teachings of "Homeless" Kodo