The Chinese Bamboo Tree

bySUNDAY1

1.1K followers

7 years ago

This is a story that has always intrigued me. Of course, just like any other plant, the growth of the Chinese Bamboo Tree requires some nurturing – it must be watered, planted in fertile soil, have plenty of sunshine. Yet in its first year, we above ground see no visible signs of activity.Then in the second year, again, we nurture, fertilize, water the plant and still we see no growth above the soil. The third year, the fourth year, and still we see nothing happening. Now by this tome our patience may be tested and we might begin to wonder if our efforts (the caring, the watering, etc.) will ever be rewarded. Yet, we continue on after all we have invested four years in this plant by now right?

And then finally in the fifth year – we behold a miracle! We see the sprout poke its way breaking through the soil, and we experience growth. And much to our surprise what incredible growth it is! The Chinese Bamboo Tree grows 80-90 feet in just six weeks!

Today's lesson is not about the Chinese Bamboo Tree, Oh no, but the lesson is about patience and perseverance and the necessary foundation for success. So let me ask you a question here, Did the Chinese Bamboo Tree really grow 80-90 feet in six weeks? Did it lie dormant for four years only to grow exponentially in the fifth year? Or, was that remarkable little tree growing underground, was it developing a root system (a foundation) strong enough to support its tremendous growth spurt in the fifth year and beyond?

Now the answer to those questions are of course, obvious. Had the tree not developed a strong unseen root system or foundation it could not have sustained its life as it grew it simply would have toppled and fallen.

Well my friends the same principle is true for people. Those who patiently toil towards worthwhile dreams and goals, building a foundation based on strong character, overcoming adversity and challenge along the way, do in fact grow the strong internal foundation to handle their eventual success. As opposed to the get-rich- quickers and lottery winners usually are unable to sustain their unearned sudden wealth and usually end up in the same or worse shape than they started out in.

Now what would have happened had the Chinese Bamboo Tree farmer dug up his little seed every year to see if it was growing, he would have stunted the growth, most likely having killed the plant.

This story can also be compared of the story of the butterfly. The caterpillar would surely be doomed to a life on the ground if it were freed from its struggle inside a cocoon prematurely. It is the struggle within the cocoon that gives the future butterfly the wing power to fly.

The Story of The Human Tree (You)

This parable about the Chinese Bamboo Tree is a perfect example of our own experience with personal growth and change. Success earned is never easy. It’s slow at best and we may not see any rapid progress. It’ may even be frustrating and unrewarding at times. But, let me tell you that it is so very worth it….but we must be patient and persistent.

The Lesson We Must Learn from the Chinese Bamboo Tree

So we must ask ourselves is it possible for us to stay focused and continue on believing in what we are doing, and in what we can not see? After all we live in a culture that is driven by instant gratification – so this will be our biggest challenge that we face.

Yet even though we desire instant gratification we go through our lives telling each other (and our children), to “Keep trying! and NEVER give up!” Even though we desire those immediate results we need realize that change may be slow – and yes even invisible at times – then all of a sudden, just like in the case of the Chinese Bamboo Tree, we will surprise ourselves with results. But never lose your faith.

We live in a fast paced, quick-fix society. We may often get frustrated if we have to wait more than a couple of minutes for any type of service or even for a go light to change. We can't help but want instant solutions to every complex problem and every fractured relationship. Yes, – we want it all, and we want it NOW!

But, maybe, just maybe its time to reflect on a wise old poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow that is as true today as it was when he wrote it over 100 years ago:

“The heights by great men reached and keptWere not attained by sudden flight,But they, while their companions slept,Toiled ever upward through the night.”

One Final Lesson For Us From The Chinese Bamboo Tree

One thing is required, and one thing only. That thing is – faith. The growers of the Chinese Bamboo Tree have faith, faith that if they keep watering and fertilizing the ground, nurturing the site where the planted the seed that the Chinese Bamboo Tree will break through. With that being said know my friend that you, just like the Chinese Bamboo Tree farmer must have the same kind of faith in your growth and success, your bamboo tree, This faith is necessary whether it is your desire to run a successful business, win an Olympic Gold Medal or a Pulitzer Prize, to raise well-adjusted children, or whatever. You must have faith that if you keep honing your craft, if you keep making the calls, if you keep reading to your children, if you keep reaching out to your spouse or asking for the help of others, that you too will see steady growth in your future.

Now I do understand that this is the hard part for most of us. We often get so excited about the idea that’ we have planted inside of us that we simply can’t wait for it to blossom or to grow. So from time to time, and often within days or weeks of the initial planting, we become discouraged and begin to second guess ourselves, or worse, we just simply quit.

Sometimes, in our doubt, we may dig up our seed and plant it elsewhere, hoping against hope that it will quickly rise in more fertile ground but it once again starts the entire process over again. We see this in people who change jobs every year or so. We also see it in people who change organizations and even spouses in the pursuit of those greener pastures just on the other side of the fence. But, more often than not, these people end up disappointed over and over again, when their Chinese bamboo tree doesn’t grow any faster in the new location.

Other times, people will nurture, fertilize, and water the ground for a time but then, become discouraged. They wonder if it’s worth all of the effort. This we see is particularly true when they see their neighbors having success with other trees that have been planted and break through the soil more rapidly. They may begin to think, “What am I doing trying to grow this dumb old Chinese bamboo tree anyway? If I had planted a apple tree or a peach tree, I’d have some fruit by now.” These are the people that we see return to their old jobs and their old ways. They walk away from their dream in exchange for "security" or a “sure thing.”

Sadly, though what they fail to realize is that in that pursuit that their dream is a sure thing if they just didn't give up. So long as you keep watering and fertilizing your dream, it will come to fruition, it will yield the sought after result, just like the Chinese Bamboo Tree. It may take weeks, it may take months, or it may even take years, but eventually, the roots will take hold and your Chinese bamboo tree will grow. And when it does, it will grow rapidly, more rapidly than you ever anticipated and it will grow in remarkable ways.

We’ve seen this happen so many times. You might recognize the name of Henry Ford of Ford Motor Company fame. Well, Mr Ford had to water his Chinese Bamboo Tree through five business failures before he finally succeeded with Ford.

Yes my friend, we all have a Chinese Bamboo Tree inside of us, and it is just waiting to break through the soil. Keep watering and believing and you too will be spurting up before you know it.

So I have said all of that to simply close with this... Did this story of the Chinese Bamboo Tree resonate with you? Do you feel even just a little more inspired? What might you start doing differently as a result of this little, yet powerful, inspirational story of the Chinese Bamboo Tree? Why not share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Love your life and make life an adventure!

Rolling On.

Hugz,

Sunday