plant person” as you can get. My idea of caring for greenery involves occasionally remembering to glance in its general direction and whispering a hopeful, “Please don’t die.” So, when my well-meaning friend gifted me a houseplant – a sprightly little peace lily – I accepted it with the grace of a condemned man receiving his last meal.
I envisioned a tragic cycle of overwatering, underwatering, and ultimately, plant-based heartbreak. But then, something unexpected happened. This resilient little plant, despite my best efforts to the contrary, decided to not only survive, but thrive. And in the process, it taught me a thing or two about life.
This seemingly simple act of resilience was a powerful reminder. We all experience setbacks, times when we feel wilted and defeated. But just like my peace lily, we have an incredible capacity to bounce back, to draw strength from within and bloom again.
Lesson #2: Finding Balance: Sometimes Less is More
As my confidence (and guilt) grew, I decided to step up my plant-parenting game. I showered my peace lily with attention, water, even the occasional pep talk (don’t judge). But instead of flourishing, it started to wither. Turns out, even with good intentions, too much of a good thing can be detrimental.
This was a valuable lesson in disguise. Just like plants, we humans thrive when we find a healthy balance. We need moments of rest and rejuvenation, space to breathe and grow at our own pace. Overcommitting, overworking, or constantly seeking external validation can leave us feeling drained and depleted, much like my overwatered peace lily.