Now, I’m a bit of an overachiever. I like to go above and beyond, which, in the past, translated to drowning my poor plants in a shower of affection (and water). But Brenda, oh wise Brenda, taught me the power of restraint. Overwatering, over-fertilizing, over-fussing—she taught me that sometimes, the best thing you can do is step back and let things be.

Turns out, the same principle applies to life. We don’t always need to be “on” or striving for constant productivity. It’s okay to embrace the quiet moments, to let things unfold naturally, to just be. Who knew a plant could be such a Zen master?

Lesson #2: Patience is a Virtue: How Brenda Taught Me About Growth

I’m not the most patient person. Okay, fine, I’m about as patient as a toddler in a toy store. I want to see results, and I want them now. But plants, much like life, don’t work that way.

I remember eagerly checking Brenda every day for signs of new growth, convinced I was doing something wrong when I didn’t see immediate progress. But then, slowly but surely, a new shoot would appear, a testament to the quiet, consistent growth happening beneath the surface.

It was a good reminder that real growth, whether it’s personal, professional, or even just a new leaf on a plant, takes time. There are no shortcuts. It’s about showing up consistently, nurturing the process, and having the patience to trust that the results will come.