The symbol of the fresh yellow roses in Yogi Raman’s fable is meant as a reminder that using one’s life to serve others improves one’s own quality of life. Julian invites John to change his view of life in favor of optimism, or to “adopt a new paradigm of your role on this planet” (174). We are put on this planet to use our gifts to contribute to making a better world. The sages call this fulfillment of one’s higher purpose “the process of ‘shedding the shackles of the self’” (176). John realizes that he could be making a bigger contribution to the world than he is right now, and Julian urges him to enrich his life through regular acts of kindness and compassion. John considers that, like Julian, he might now be walking the path of “a spiritual being passing through life caring only about others” (179).