Bamboo Trees

Yesterday, during church, our pastor told a story about a Bamboo Tree farmer that was unaware the plant took years to finally sprout and grow upward.

I was also unaware that the plant took such time to grow and find it quite fascinating. For a number of years, some say as many as five, the bamboo tree requires care and attention yet it only establishes roots underground. Then, once the bamboo plant sprouts, it grows rapidly at up to nearly 3ft per day.

In past writings, I’ve shared my concern with the trend of humans needing and seeking success in an instant. “An instant society refers to a culture where people heavily prioritize immediate gratification, expecting quick access to information, products, and experiences with minimal effort…”

The “instant” expectation is skewed, as anything worth building (love, friendships, meaningful change, businesses, etc) take time. Not only does it take time, but it takes time without proof or recognition that something worthwhile is growing & developing. That’s why the story of the bamboo tree is so valuable.

Someone was the first bamboo farmer and must’ve had a great deal of patience and focus to continue tending to the plant. Nothing for years and then extreme growth within a small amount of time.

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