on plants and growing–a lesson from my basil plant

Behold the newest visitor to our garden, a little basil plant.

It planted itself into an empty pot of its own will, and is scarcely a month old. Nobody in my family has any clue as to how or when it rooted itself amidst the fragrant earth. But everyday when my mother and I come out to dry our laundry, we marvel each beautiful leaf—look, how fast it has grown overnight! Meanwhile, our ACTUAL basil plant stands beside it rather stoically. It is stubborn, this one, and holds its cards (or leaves?) close to its chest, quite literally. Plants feel too, perhaps it feels like it doesn’t quite fit in?

On the other hand, this little guy has made itself quite comfortable. I can sense it in its long inhales and content breathing. Its seeds might have coasted in from its neighbour to rest on the rim of a rather small, ordinary black pot. When they did, I find comfort in the thought that our tiled balcony opening out into the brilliant blue skies might have whispered something of comfort and home to them.

So far, it has withstood the harsh summer sun that slants itself across the balcony in the afternoons and evenings, and never once complained. Yesterday, it took a rather brutal shower in its first thunderstorm. But instead of being uprooted, it seems leafier and an even more vibrant green today! Even as I type this piece this evening, I can see it standing in our balcony which is awash in rainwater once more, peacefully fluttering its leaves; as though rocking itself to sleep in the cool wind.

I don’t know whether our visitor is meant to live a long and healthy life. But even if its time in our garden is short, I know that whenever I look at it, I will try to remember to grow in grace, for my own self. This basil plant grows so unhesitatingly and courageously, even when it knows that its days might be numbered. It knows that it was given an unexpected life, but has still proudly made its place in the world and thrived under all the curveballs thrown at it.

I hope I will look at this tiny wonder and be reminded to pause, and step back from the traffic of life to grow patiently, at my own pace. To be like a sponge, with a soft and open mind, to take everything that I can from those surrounding me—it may lead to an unexpected delight. I hope that the damp fragrance of this basil plant that gently wafts in, will till my soil; so that I can allow myself to be nourished by Life’s sunny and rainy days, and blossom with confidence, one day, one leaf at a time.