A Flower Blooms in Adversity

Originally published on September 14, 2016, this piece has been updated to reflect what still feels true today.

Several years ago, there was a particular Friday morning that began in a most beautiful way. I was invited to have a conversation with my new friend, Theresa — a conversation that very quickly became both profound and meaningful. We discussed some of the world’s current events; and as Theresa lives in the Netherlands, our focus naturally turned to her experience of what was a national week of mourning for her country.

Perhaps you recall the news footage. Over a 3-day period, processions of long lines of hearses traveling in silence, bearing the remains of victims of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 driving past international flags flown at half-mast as they began the 160-mile trip from Eindhoven to a Dutch military facility in Hilversum. As the convoys made their journey each day, thousands of people came to watch and to mourn their country’s and the world’s loss. It was a moment of shared humanity — people standing shoulder to shoulder, united in grief and in love.

On that day, the Netherlands observed a national day of mourning — the first since the death of Queen Wilhelmina in 1962. News stories shared some of the emotions coming from those who observed. “It is terrible”. “Horrific”. “I’m speechless”.

As for my friend, Theresa, the experience has been what she describes as “hell on earth”.

At the same time, Theresa shared that from this hell also came beauty. She spoke of communities joining together during this extreme time of pain and the love that exudes from those who are willing to participate — to “walk to the bridge” to observe the procession — to be vulnerable — to show through action what resides in their hearts.

We were left with a question. Why? Why does it take such a crisis to bring people together in meaningful ways? At one level it is so very simple to come out and “walk to the bridge”. Yet many if not most of us prefer to stay indoors. Even now, nearly a decade later, I still wonder why it takes crisis before we allow ourselves to truly show up for one another.

Later that morning, after concluding the call with Theresa, I spent a little time on Twitter. As I scrolled through the timeline, I was struck by a Tweet posted by Soulseeds:

“The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.”

This single quote felt exactly right, especially given all of what Theresa and I had been talking about just moments prior. The quote comes from the Walt Disney Company’s animated movie, Mulan — words of wisdom to a young girl from the Emperor of China.

The meaning behind this quote originally comes from the earliest blooming flower in China — the Plum Blossom. This beautiful tree does not wait for the warmth of Spring sun to shine its rays before it booms. It blooms instead in winter — from January to late February — even before the leaves of the tree are fully formed — pushing through the snow and ice varying shades of white, pink and red flowers that have a strong fragrant scent. And the colder it is, the more the plum blossom blooms — flourishing…thriving…permeating the air with its sweet smelling perfume.

As one of few flowers that bloom in winter, these blossoms signify endurance, perseverance, strength, commitment and beauty — and in essence — the process of growth. Despite severe weather conditions, each colorful petal grows through the winter storms. And the harsher the conditions, the more buds come into bloom.

Plum blossoms flower everywhere. Where there is earth, they grow — fearless of ice and snow. This is why the plum blossom has long been honored across China as a national symbol of resilience. It is a symbol for resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. It is also a symbol for longevity, as ancient trees continue to grow for a long period of time. In parts of China, some ancient plum trees have flourished for centuries, blooming generation after generation.

There is an old Chinese proverb that states:

“When literacy is loved, the plum blossoms will open. When learning is prohibited, the plum blossoms will close”.

When we are not learning, we are not open. We are not growing. Staying open — to listening ... to learning ... to what life reveals — is how we continue to bloom. To continue to discover your path requires you to do so with endurance, perseverance, strength and commitment. From all of this your beauty blossoms — that one special gift that only you possess.

Each of us is as unique as an apricot, cherry, peach or plum blossom. “Cherry blossoms are cherry blossoms and plum blossoms are plum blossoms. Accordingly, you must bloom in the way that only you can. Without a doubt, you possess your own jewel — your own innate talent inside of you.” (Nichiren)

How can you discover that talent? By applying yourself to the very limits of your ability. Your true potential emerges when you meet your efforts wholeheartedly, even when the path is challenging.

Each and every person has the power to overcome all of life’s obstacles — to live a life of value and become a positive influence in their world. Acquire the tenacity to develop the spirit to learn everything you can where you are — to explore and discover the depths of your potential — your jewel.

Challenge yourself.

In a world that still feels fast-moving and uncertain, the plum blossom reminds us that we don’t need perfect conditions to grow. May we remember this story of the plum blossom; make a committed choice to participate; step out and ‘walk to the bridge’ to meet life where it’s calling you.

Take the fork in the road that leads you deeper into your own potential.