The power of invisible growth

The Chinese bamboo is no ordinary plant. For years, you see hardly anything happening above ground, while beneath the surface, a powerful root system is being built. Only after years of patience, care, and dedication does the bamboo grow to an impressive height in just a few weeks.

This unique growth cycle is a beautiful metaphor for personal growth. In our lives too, much of the real development happens invisibly, within. Sometimes it feels as if we are making no progress, while in reality, we are laying the solid foundation needed to later bloom powerfully and resiliently.

Here's the English translation:

"Once upon a time, there was a man who felt discouraged. He looked back on the past year and wondered what had become of his good intentions. Nothing seemed to have changed. He continued to struggle with the same patterns, the same doubts, the same challenges. His spirits sank.

In his search for insight, he knocked on his rabbi's door.

The rabbi listened attentively and then asked him:

'Do you know the story of the Chinese bamboo?'

The man shook his head.

'Let me tell you,' the rabbi said.

'The Chinese bamboo begins its life as a small, inconspicuous plant. It receives water, nourishment, and care. For one year... nothing happens. The second year? Still nothing. And in the third and fourth years, the plant seemingly remains unchanged. But in the fifth year... it suddenly shoots skyward. Within six weeks, it grows up to 25 meters tall.'

The rabbi looked at the man.

'How long do you think it took for the bamboo to grow that tall?'

'Six weeks?' the man ventured.

'No,' said the rabbi. 'Five years. Because all that time, something invisible was happening. Underground, the bamboo developed a powerful network of roots. Without that solid base, it could never have grown the way it did. If the farmer had stopped caring in any of those years, the bamboo would never have come to life.'

He smiled.

'It's the same with your growth. Every small step, every attempt, every day you persevere... nourishes your foundation. The change may not yet be visible, but the process is underway. Be patient. Keep trusting. The time will come when your growth visibly shoots out into the world.