The Wisdom Of A Bamboo Shoot

Did you know bamboo is the fastest-growing plant on earth? It's known to grow as much as 3 feet in a day, able to shoot up as tall as a 10-story building in just 8 weeks, earning its name as a bamboo "shoot." However, while it is fascinating to see its rapid growth, its true marvel lies in its complex network of roots.

When bamboo is planted, it shows minimal signs of its potential to grow, only growing 1-2 feet per week. However, for the first 1 to 3 years, the bamboo develops an underground system of roots that allows it to access greater amounts of moisture and nutrients in the soil. These roots allow new canes to sprout and quickly grow to match the height of the older canes.

When fully mature, due to its already-established root system, the shoots are sustainably harvested year after year for decades as long as the root system stays healthy, allowing us to reliably use bamboo as a valuable resource in many different areas of our lives.

Similarly, as bamboo relies on establishing its roots to grow new canes, the new opportunities we seek in our lives often depend on developing ourselves in new ways. As you work to reach new heights, remember to continue studying, refining, and practicing new skills that can continue to bring new opportunities into your life.

Improving yourself isn't only meant to get you started in your life, but to facilitate your progress throughout your life. Success isn't showing off your past achievements, but learning how to progress toward your next one. If you continue to focus on learning throughout your life, over time, you will soon recognize that the most valuable part of your life isn't what you own, but who you are.

As bamboos are cut down during harvest, when life threatens to take away everything you own, you will have a complex network of knowledge, experiences, and skills that will help you capitalize on new opportunities that help you rise anew from the ground, bringing you a new level of security and freedom in your life.

If you are looking for new opportunities in your life today, begin by asking yourself, "What is one skill you can begin learning today that can help you seize the opportunities you're looking for 5 years from now?"