My Green Thumb? More Like a Brown Index Finger
Let’s be honest, I’m not exactly known for my nurturing abilities. In fact, I once managed to kill a cactus. A CACTUS. So, when my well-meaning friend gifted me a delicate fern for my birthday, I accepted with a smile and an internal scream. I mean, this leafy friend practically came with its own obituary.
Lesson #1: Tough Love is the Key to Growth
I’m a chronic people-pleaser. I want everyone to be happy, even if it means bending over backward until I resemble a pretzel. Ferdinand, however, quickly put a stop to my over-watering ways. The first time I flooded his pot, he promptly fainted. Okay, maybe not fainted, but his fronds definitely drooped in a dramatic fashion.
Turns out, even with good intentions, you can smother something with too much attention. Who knew? Ferdinand, in all his leafy wisdom, taught me that sometimes a little space, a little tough love, is exactly what’s needed to thrive. This applies to relationships, work, even that sourdough starter I attempted during quarantine (RIP, Stanley).
Lesson #2: Patience is a Virtue: Embracing the Slow Growth
We live in a world of instant gratification. Need to know the weather in Kathmandu? Google it. Craving a burrito at 3 a.m.? Delivery app to the rescue! But Ferdinand, bless his slow-growing heart, reminded me that real growth takes time.