Cut!
[Note from the Proprietor: This is one of an ongoing series of posts called Scenes From a Sidewalk. Want to know what it's all about? Follow that link to read the series introduction.]
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As with most of our professional office buildings these days (at least, the ones here in Houston), the entrances to ours are festooned with neatly planted beds filled with a veritable plethora of colorful flowering and decorative plants. Let’s see… there’s an interesting hedge covered in cute little pink thingies, some decorative cabbages, lots of those colorful flowers we call snapdragons… and rows and rows of irises.
To be honest, I truly enjoy seeing these colorful reminders of God’s creativity as I mosey back and forth on my favorite sidewalk. But what’s most interesting is watching how they slowly transform themselves over the seasons. In the spring, of course, you can see the biggest bounty of color. But other seasons have their own special characteristics as well.
One day, though, I was faced with something of a shocking discovery. As you can see from the photo here, all my beloved irises had been ruthlessly chopped back to a nub. I’m tellin’ ya; I was deeply offended! Now what spawn of Satan would do such an unspeakable and coldhearted act?
(Sorry ’bout the quality of the photos this time – for some reason I couldn’t seem to get ‘em any better, even using Piknik. Ah, well.)
Oh, the Humanity!
OK, OK; by now I can hear those of you out there with even a semblance of a green thumb shouting at me through the computer screen, “Don’t worry about it, ya big galoot! It’s normal practice to cut irises back each spring!”
Yeah, I know. But still… whackin’ those poor, tender little darlin’s down to a nub seems so, I don’t know, heartless, doesn’t it?
Ah, but that’s the secret, isn’t it? The fact is, when you cut ‘em back like that, they turn right around and grow even bigger and bushier than before! Ironic, don’cha think, that the worst possible thing that you could do to a plant – whack it down to the ground – would actually, y’know, be good for it.
So…
I was sitting at my desk the other day, contemplating those irises, while waiting to hear whether or not I still have a job to come back to. It’s not an easy way to spend your day, I’ll tell ya. And, I’d wager that a significant percentage of other folks out there may even be facing the exact same thing.
Hey, I feel for ya, my friends; I really do. I’ve had this happen a time or two before, and I know how hard it is.
But I’ve discovered, over time, that quite often times like these can actually lead to even better opportunities – opportunities you may have completely overlooked if you’d stayed put. I know it sounds crazy, and it certainly isn’t something that most of us look forward to. But it’s true, nonetheless.
The Question of the Day
The whole key, I believe, is to be resilient. Of all the abilities you could possibly have these days, I personally think that’s the one that’ll get you farther than practically any other. Especially in these days and times. And (now listen to Dr. Bob here, y’all), I can tell you from experience; being resilient will help you weather any storm, survive any trial, and bounce back from any setback.
Resilience is the one personal characteristic we should all develop as quickly as we can. Hey, you never know; you might just find potency you never knew you had; new ways to bloom that just weren’t there before.
Take those irises, for instance. I continued to watch the pathetic little chopped-off fellahs as I walked by them every day. But you know what? The next day, there were already bright green shoots popping up all over the place. Within a week, the new growth had already reached several inches high.
Two weeks later (in a dramatic appearance rivaling the giant beanstalk growing from young Jack’s magic beans), not only were they back with a vengeance, but the little boogers were already bloomin’ up a storm! (Click on the photo and take a closer look at the photo if you like.)
Now that’s what I call resilient!
So… are you resilient? That’s the question, isn’t it?
Um… shouldn’t you be thinking about your answer right about now?
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Photos:
Cut!, by Robert Hruzek
Growth Spurt, by Robert Hruzek
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Note from the Proprietor: This is also an entry for this month’s What I Learned From… groupwrite project. If you’d like to join the fun, just click on that link and read all about it. Everyone is welcome – you may even win a free prize!
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Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
Resiliency is the one trait that I try to instill in my own children and wish for all of the children in my district. It is the characteristic that really combines some of the strengths (perseverance, flexibility, courage, commitment) we need to survive and be successful in an ever changing world.
Joe D’Amatos last blog post..On dreams and perservernance
@Joe – Good for you, Joe! They’ll all be better for it. Hey, thanks for dropping by the Zone!
Happened on your blog through twitter, and was delighted to read your entertaining and thoughtful articles. Right after I hit send, I’ll be hitting the subscribe button
Yeah — about that resilience thing — one really DOES need to consider what it means, and how to do it. Especially when things get kind of ugly out there, or when someone “lops off your leaves” unexpectedly.
Mostly I think of myself as a resilient person, but I gotta tell ya — I NEEDED to hear your message today. Somebody took a swipe at one of my branches while I was busy elsewhere recently, and I was feeling a little less resilient than usual. Thanks
Nancy
Nancy Boyds last blog post..Blue Panther Energy Essences
Robert, as I read the post I winced a little because that pruning process is a bit painful but it has always, always resulted in more strength, vibrancy and better fruit. Resiliency is a trait that we should all develop. There are times in our lives when we come face to face with our inability to control every outcome. Stuff happens and we have to keep moving forward, facing down the challenges and not quitting. Having been in the desert myself recently, I tell ya trudging forward every day with no water in sight takes every ounce of resiliency and a few borrowed ounces too. Great post Robert and so appropriate for our times!
Robert, you are a shining example of faith and resilience, and I’m wishing you all the best for today. If anyone deserves a good break, you do.
Joanna Youngs last blog post..10 Things I’ve Learned About Writing and Tenacity
I am reminded of the line from Jurassic Park “Nature always finds a way”. But it’s nicer when it’s irises and not velociraptors.
Are the blue bonnets out yet?
Mike
Mikes last blog post..Which of These Three Places Holds Osama bin Laden?
Great post! Yes, resilience is one of the traits I try to nourish. Thanks so much for sharing.
Jean Browman–Cheerful Monks last blog post..Going On an Artist’s Date
@Nancy – So glad you found the Middle Zone, Nancy! You’ll find it’s a great place to learn – and share – life’s lessons for us all.
Glad the message had some meaning for ya too. It’s always good to know.
@Karen – Having just been on the receiving end of a “lop”, I’ll second that notion – it’s painful as heck! But also, having been here before, I can say with confidence that it’s entirely possible to become bigger, stronger, and far more that I was before. (Gee, did that sound like the intro to the $6M Man Show?)
Anyhoo – together we can help each other, y’know? You encourage me all the time, so I do the same for you!
@Joanna – Thanks, Joanna! Even though I ended up broken today, I know it’s possible to come back stronger – because I already have before!
@Mike – Eek! Velociraptors WOULD be a real pain in the tookus to keep cutting ‘em back! The bluebonnets are just about ready to bust out all over – end of March, I think.
@Jean – Thanks! Isn’t experience a great comfort, Jean?
Yes I am!!! The journey, in my life, that taught me resiliency was being a stay at home mom for 12 years. I learned, very quickly, that plans would get pruned by children being sick or getting chicken pox or having an unexpected day off from school. This also taught me to be flexible. That is why I have no problem with change and welcome it. The biggest lesson I have learned-accepting what is, rolling with the punches, having strong faith in God and never losing my optimism.
@Annie – Hey, good for you, Annie! Man, you ain’t just a woofin’ about children, though – if there’s anything that can throw a wrench in the best-laid plans of mice, men, or women, it’s that!
Sounds like you have a great handle on the One ultimately responsible for it all, too.
I love my garden and take great solice there. When the world closes in on me, to my flower garden I go. Thanks for a great post!!!
Janice Manilows last blog post..I’m either a hero, or an idiot
Resilency…what a great value for these times! We all need to have faith in our ability to recover, to make the best of tough circumstances and to not only survive but to thrive. If in doing so, we brighten another’s walkway, so much the better!
Terros last blog post..Little Miss Muffet Updated
@Janice – Hey, glad you liked it, and drop by anytime!
@Terro – You made a good point, Terro – to not only survive, but to thrive. I appreciate your comment!
Robert, I knew how you feel, when you found out the irises have been chopped down! I used to have this type of incident before, when my neighbor accidentally chopped down my daisies!
In this situation, I was a little bit mad of it, but it didn’t last longer, as I don’t want my temper to control over my mind. After all, my neighbor has been good to me since I moved in to the neighborhood!
Hey Robert,
Glad to read this one too. I guess when we take the time and see the hundreds of signs and lessons that nature, God, “the highest power” (call it as you like) gives us almost every second, we become a little embarased by the super-speedy way of living we are trying to achieve today. “Festina lente” (latin for “Hurry up slowly”)!
If we indeed become optimistic then we become opened and we see those signs, then we stop running for no reason, and, more important, that is the moment we start changing! As in truly changing! Maybe becoming resilient it’s a huge step for most of us, but you’d be shocked to know what other gifts and qualities lay in us. And positive thinking along with the plenar living of the present moment is the first step into becoming wholes again.
@Wilson- Hey, if nature teaches us anything, it’s that it’s resilient!
@Andrew – Interesting term, that: “festina lente”. Maybe a good one to keep in mind next time I’m starting to worry a bit. Hey, thanks for the comment, Alex!