How Do You Percieve Yourself?

“I am a palm tree, and I grow like a bamboo.”

The first time that you read that sentence it probably didn’t make sense to you, that is probably
because I coined it with this genius brain of mine. I am a fountain of wisdom and genius-ness
just oozes out of me. Honestly, though, you are going to have to stick with me here, it will all
make sense, I promise.

But first?! I digress. I went home recently and I said that, as the good child that I am, lemme do
the cooking. Since I’m the last born and I am out of the house, my parents live by themselves,
so whenever I go home I try my best to help out as much as possible.

Was that decision a crime? No!

But whoever I pissed off surely wanted revenge but the Lord fought my battle. For the life of me,
I wanted to make amala. Me! A whole Twenty-FINE-year-old million-yard wife material! I have
been making Amala my whole life, but this one time, my talents and cooking skills failed me.

I made something alright, but whatever was in that pot was not amala. I simply salvaged the
situation, got rid of that one, and started all over again. The second one turned out smooth and
great. Till now, I don’t know what happened, it remains a mystery.

Now, back to the palm tree thingy thingy….

The statement resonates with me a lot because I feel like that statement is a true embodiment
of the person that I am and the potential that I hold.

I think that one of the best things that a person can do is to know their true potential, know the
height that they can attain, and know that they can surpass their limits. So this particular post is
just going to be about how that sentence came to be and why it means so much to me, and you
can adopt it if you want.

I’m a storyteller so I’m going to take you back to a particular night, I don’t know when exactly,
but it was sometime in 2022. I visited my parents at home and it was nighttime, everyone was
eating dinner, and my parents were watching a Yoruba movie on TV.

I was not paying attention at first but then something funny happened on screen, and you know
the way we all criticize the characters from movies, it was that kind of moment.
I don’t exactly remember how we got from that point to where my mum mentioned something
about palm trees, but hearing that statement, stuck with me till this day.

She mentioned a Saying in Yoruba which says “Kò sí nkan tó ṣòfò lára ọ̀pẹ́. Gbogbo ara ọ́pẹ́
ọwọ́ ni”
The (Shadonian) translation is that “Nothing goes to waste on a palm tree. All the parts of the
tree can be harnessed for money??”

She was talking about how the palm tree is one of the most resourceful trees. That nothing on a
palm tree truly goes to waste from the leaves to its fruits, to the wine that comes out of it, that
every single thing on a palm tree is useful, even the residue from making oil can still be used to
create fire.

For me, when she said that, what stuck out to me was that, I am a person (Well, duh?) I have
talents, abilities, and potential. That I can be like a palm tree. I can be so productive in such a
way that every single talent and skill that I own is explored and exploited by me, and nothing
goes to waste.

It doesn’t necessarily mean that I have to use it to earn an income, but it means that I use it to
create an impact around me and nothing that is a part of me lies fallow, dormant, or unused.
When it comes to the latter part of that statement that talks about the bamboo tree, well, it’s
because it’s also an interesting plant.

When you plant bamboo, it takes years before you see anything on the surface, but it does not
mean that the tree is not thriving, it does not mean that the tree isn’t growing.
The tree was growing downwards, it was taking root in the ground. Once it’s time and it breaks
forth to the surface, the bamboo grows at such an incredible speed that it is almost impossible
to believe.

You can sit and watch a bamboo grow.
I looked it up and searched it out on Google. It stated that some species can grow up to 1.5
inches per hour.

Then I decided to join those two together one day. I was like, I am a palm tree and I grow like
bamboo. I am going to use every gift that I have to impact the world around me and I’m going to
do it and grow at such an incredible rate that I’m going to be a blessing to those around me.
But that’s one side of it. I also thought about the waiting period while the bamboo is growing
roots. It made me understand that even though I want growth and speed, I can’t neglect the
need to ‘’take root’

In this case, taking root means, working on myself, gaining more knowledge, exposing my mind,
building capacity, and stretching myself to be better Spiritually, physically, mentally, and more.
All of that needs to be in place, they are a catalyst for growth.

Cause in as much as these plants are great, I can’t forget that Plants die too, if the root system
isn’t right, if it can’t take up necessary nutrients…. And I can’t have that, can I?

So yes that statement isn’t only meant for me. You can be a palm tree and you might just be
stepping into your bamboo season.

Speaking of which, there is so much to say about the waiting period, the hibernation period, and
the transition. There is more to it than just being a bamboo. But we’d uncover more of that as we
journey together.

Make sure to come back for more or look through my website for other posts that might interest
you, you will find some, I’m sure.
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In the meantime, Remember to spread nothing but love and keep reaching for the stars…
Till next time,
With love,
Fọláṣadé.