So what’s the significance of this vase of bamboo that sits on my desk? Stay with me here, some facts:
- Water it all you like, it takes 3-5 years for your efforts to show. Bamboo remains underground until its good and ready to sprout
- When it finally does, bamboo is the fastest growing plant on the planet. It can grow 3 feet in height in 24 hours with the largest species of bamboo reaching 1300 feet or 80 feet tall in height.
- Bamboo is so strong that the tensile strength of plated bamboo cables are as strong as or stronger than a steel cable of the same size. Hemp rope loses 20% of its strength when wet while bamboo cables increase in strength by as much as 20% when wet.
- Some species of bamboo develop flowers after 65 or 120 years. Interesting fact about flowering is that all plants of one bamboo species develop flowers at the same time, no matter where they are located in the world.
What does this mean? Sometimes you try and try. You start that new business, that new workout program and commit to eating healthier. Sometimes you make a commitment to reduce your stress, open up to new opportunities, try new things, and make new friends. Although the inspiration and incentive is there….nothing seems to confirm that your efforts are working.
It’s incredibly frustrating and oh so tempting to go back to your old ways because even though you weren’t really happy with those results, you didn’t have to work so hard.
So my friend, that’s exactly why I have the bamboo reminder on my desk.
I’m bamboo and maybe you are too.
Even though you’re not seeing the results yet, things are brewing under the surface. Stick with it and when things are ready (in divine time, not our lack of patience timing), all of a sudden, you will burst through with force, strength and the unmistakable and unapologetic grace of bamboo. Once you bloom, you’ll be so strong and beautiful that just like bamboo, you’ll be even better after decades of being here (bamboo grows flowers after 65 or 120 years-what flower/plant/grass can do that?) So while it’s frustrating, aggravating and discouraging that you feel you haven’t arrived/achieved/reached your goal just yet, have some patience in knowing that just like me, you may be bamboo too.
Can you relate? We’d love to know, comment and share!
Debi Silber
www.DebiSilber.com