Gratitude: How The Beautiful Orchid Taught Me A Valuable Lesson of Patience
"The orchid is Mother Nature's Masterpiece." — Robyn
Research shows evidence of orchids dating back to the age of the dinosaurs, over hundreds of million years ago. Orchids are one of the largest and oldest families of plants in the world. For centuries, people worldwide have fallen in love with their Orchid Flowers.
Many people don't know that orchid dormancy usually lasts six to nine months, with no guarantee that it may rebloom.
Although most agree that orchids are extremely delicate plants, they are often never met with the same patience and respect they deserve.
If you've never had an orchid or have never seen someone care for an orchid throughout its dormancy, I can be the first to tell you how demanding they are.
Living in my hometown, Chiang Mai, located in the north, surrounded by mountains and lush green countryside and best known as the Orchid Capital of Thailand, my father became an orchid grower as he retired.
Here is someone that had dedicated the time, energy, and money to keeping something alive, so maybe, just maybe, he could experience it reblooming.
I watched and learned how he had to wash, clean, trim the roots, prepare the peat moss, have suitable potting soil and fir bark, fertilize, and so on. With extraordinary patience, he kept trying despite difficulty and uncertainty.
My father taught me how to care for orchids, but the beloved orchid spoke to my inner strength of my discovery of patience — patience is a virtue!
Orchids taught me the immense feeling of triumph when that long shoot grows a bud, and that bud eventually blooms almost indescribable.
I learned that sometimes something not so simple as growing orchids could be compelling and motivating.
Orchids teach me that it's okay not to be perfect always; my willingness to learn, grow and adapt matters.
They remind me that I must prioritize patience and effort over unrealistic expectations to realize the highest potential.
We live in a society of instant gratification, and there's no "place" for patience in such a world. This, then, creates twin realities: two worlds living parallel to one another.
Most people live firmly in instant gratification, but a few have come to understand the power and rewards that come from learning the fine art of patience.
These goals are attainable, but they, of course, aren't realized instantaneously.
Learning is cumulative. Lessons build, one upon another. As understanding increases the complexity of the projects, we can also undertake expansions.
"A first-time woodworker might struggle to make a pen from a kit, and a master turns a few scraps into a beautiful, functional piece of furniture."
I began to understand the importance and true meaning of patience. Patience is how I can change my world. The more patience I have and apply, the more significant the change I believe I can affect.
I am grateful for one of the essential life lessons this beautiful and exotic being has taught me.
This is my last gratitude post for the November Challenge hosted by Debe Maxwell, CRS. Thank you so much for the opportunity to share my thoughts.
Photos By Shutterstock
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