Cultivating Empathy: Lessons from the World of Houseplants

I love my houseplants. Amongst my collection of plants, my beloved pathos, Jumanji has a special meaning to me. Jumanji came into my life as a tiny 5-leaf addition to a condolence arrangement at my dad's funeral. But this little plant has since spread joy throughout my home. I've grown several plants from its clipping and have enjoyed watching these starts thrive.

Recently, I decided to experiment with propagating clippings from different plants. I placed them in bud vases with water near the window, eager to see their growth. Within 2 weeks, the first plant formed tiny roots, the Jumanji clipping grew strong roots and was ready for soil, while the third struggled, showing no signs of new roots. Research revealed that the third plant, a Zig-Zag plant, needed a different propagation method: untouched until hardened and then planted in soil.

It was a reminder that even with the same resources, different plants, like humans, have unique biological needs. As I looked at the struggling Zig-Zag plant, I thought about how this resonated with my own life experience. Despite having resources, my unique biological needs don't always fit into the world around me. We're all different, and we all have different needs to thrive.

If we took the time to understand each other's unique needs, we could avoid making assumptions about what works for them. None of us are the same; not plants, animals, nor humans. We all have different needs, even at the most basic levels. And when we fail to recognize and nurture these differences, we risk stunting our growth and potential.

So, let's learn to cherish each person's differences, and stop assuming that what's right for one person will work for another. By doing so, we can create a more empathetic and accepting world that fosters growth and life for all. And just like my beloved Jumanji, we too can spread joy and hope throughout our communities.

On that note... LYLAS💖 Talk soon.