Orchids Remind Us: Growth Takes Patience

Orchids are beautiful, but keeping them alive has never been my forte. Not too long ago, rather than following my old instincts with orchids, such as watering whenever I felt like it, I decided to actually learn about them.

That’s when I discovered that the popular “ice cube method” for watering orchids is often recommended on store tags. While not all experts agree, it’s a simple way for beginners to avoid overwatering. I gave it a try, and when the petals began falling off, I braced myself to declare the plant dead, as I had in the past.

But this time I learned something new: orchids go through a resting period after blooming. They aren’t dying; they’re simply recharging, just like we do after a long day.

When the stem turned light brown, I felt sure I should cut it off. My instinct told me it was done. Yet a little more research revealed that even a faded-looking stem can still provide nutrients. Sometimes the best thing to do is let it be until it dries up naturally. And then, to my amazement, a new little bud appeared.

That moment shifted something in me. I realized I had thrown away orchids in the past out of ignorance, just as I’ve sometimes been too quick to judge myself during my own “dormant” seasons.

Lately, I’ve been navigating changes in both my professional and spiritual life. Like with the orchid, I’m learning that my first instinct isn’t always the wisest. Growth requires patience, humility, and a willingness to learn. The truth is, none of us are experts at this thing called life. The moment we stop being open to learning, we stop growing.

And growth isn’t comfortable. It can be messy, awkward, and slow. Comfort has its place, but too much of it can keep us from blooming again. Just like the orchid drawing nutrients from what looks dead, we too can draw wisdom from past experiences, even mistakes and use them to prepare for something new.

So if you’re not where you want to be right now, or you’ve made choices you regret, don’t count yourself out. Mistakes and quiet seasons aren’t wasted, they’re part of the process. They help us reset, recharge, and eventually, blossom into something stronger.

Caring for my orchid this time taught me a lot: dormant doesn’t mean dead, the past can guide us, and growth takes patience. It is a reminder to pause before reacting and give ourselves space to learn.