May 19, 2005
Hibiscus
This shot of one of my grandfather’s red hibiscus flowers was taken a year or two ago. Today, he and I transplanted two of his hibiscus plants in preparation for the arrival of some plants he ordered on the Internet some time back. He mentioned that we broke some of the plant’s roots when we moved it, and that he had to cut off some of the stems so the roots can provide enough nutrients to feed all of the other stems. We got to talking about gardening, and he said transplanting can sometimes bring a plant from being “complacent” and just doing so-so to suddenly striving to survive and flourish. He said the move sort of shocks the plant by making it think it’s about to die, so it (in my words) reevaluates its priorities and decides to put more effort into living a productive life. Seems I’ve seen several peers do this at college. A little change-up can have a big impact on a life. Generally it stimulates people to examine what’s really important to them and to begin to take seriously what they had formerly taken for granted. Perhaps a little transplanting is needed now and again.
Written at 5:27 pm
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Filed under: General, Learnings
2 Comments
May 19th, 2005 at 9:52 pm
Heh. I claim that for a sermon illustration!
May 23rd, 2005 at 9:49 am
It is yours, good sir.