The Orchid

Oct 28

2 min read

To some degree, I always appreciated orchids. But learning how to take care of them and how they grow touched me in a special way during my time in Cambodia. One particular experience stands out.

I had an orchid that was not blooming at all so I re-potted it. I packed the pot full of coal and other materials so its roots would be secure. I watered it appropriately to ensure no root-rot. I waited.

A long time passed and it still would not bloom. I was scheduled to be out of the country for 6-weeks. As such, I was tempted to uproot the whole plant and make better use of the pot, thinking there was no chance to get this one to bloom again. But, I decided to just leave it. Perhaps it just needed a little more time.

I was quite shocked upon my return. The orchid had bloomed a long stem with about 10 blooms. So beautiful.

I realized it had been in process. A process I could not see. A process I could not force.

As I sit here writing this, I am looking at a lovely orchid a friend gave me. The blooms have continued for weeks. I am enjoying the blooming cycle it is in at the moment.

I know that eventually the blooms will die.

Then I plan to re-pot it and give it what it needs to grow: secure roots, patience, and time.

I think the human process of change is similar. The cycle of growth and "blooming" looks different for each individual process. We need to feel secure. We need patience with ourselves and other people. And finally, we need to give it some time.