Bamboos

Bamboo plants have long been multipurpose plants. Their stems are sturdy, hard, and at times thick (depending on the type of bamboo plant). I have noticed the wonder of bamboos for a long time. However, I have also drawn out some ethical lessons from these much used plants.

1. Leadership and Humility are inter-twined: There is a popular Chinese quote that continues to do the rounds on social media. The quote says that the higher the bamboo grows, the greater the bend. That is a clear and definite analogy on how a leader ought to be. Leadership entails one to bend down to help others. Authority goes best with humility. However, we most often mix things up and equate authority to pride. If you ever notice a bamboo, you will see that it can grow some several meters high. Yet, it does not remain with its tip to the sky. It continues to tilt downwards. The tip of the bamboo points/faces down telling us also to look at the needs of others no matter how high we climb the success ladder.

2. Be strong when faced with tension: Like I’ve mentioned before bamboos are multipurpose plants. One of its important uses us that it is used to build scaffoldings and other similar structures. Many campers use these to build watchtowers, gadgets and supports for tents. The sturdiness of bamboos is remarkable. When tied with multiple bamboos, the structure created can support full-grown adults. You would have observed this in images of make-shift rafts or other similar projects. This very sturdiness of bamboos evokes the second ethical lesson: Stay strong and resilient in times of difficulties. Difficult situations often weaken our morale and distort our view towards life. It is a test of our emotional strength. We can learn to imitate the bamboo in its resilience amidst difficult and tense situations.

3. Be flexible: Whenever we have attempted to make cribs we have always used bamboos to get a strong curve. A few bamboo plants produce flexible bamboos that help us build hollows in structures. This aspect of the bamboo is quite rare because the bamboos that are flexible are usually thin. The lesson we learn seems almost contrary to the previous one. However, what I wish to stress on is slightly different. Rigidity is good, but at times we have to learn to be flexible. This is especially true when sudden changes occur amidst our planned schedule. Many of us can be rigid, following fixed protocols and having everything structured. However, flexibility is an important virtue that holds us in good stead in the long run. While being rigid also has its positives, being flexible helps us to adapt to change.

As we go about in our daily lives, let us remember the three lessons from bamboos. May we grow in humility, as we increase in leadership; stay strong amidst difficult, trying and horrid times; and, be flexible and adaptable to change.