January is often seen as a month of new beginnings. But instead of diving headfirst into busyness, what if this was a time to honour your body’s
need for rest? To restore, renew, and find balance?
In this stillness, you prepare the ground for growth. And to embrace that balance, we must honour rest – not as laziness but as a necessary part
of thriving.
This story illustrates it beautifully: One day a man decided to quit. Quit his job, his relationship, his faith; he even wanted to quit life.
He went to the woods to talk to the wise sage as to why he shouldn’t quit. “Can you give me one good reason not to quit?”
“Look around,” the sage said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo? When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth, its brilliant green covering the forest floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year, the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. But still, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the third year, still nothing. But I would not quit.
In the fourth year, again, there was nothing. I would not quit.
Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern, it was small and insignificant.
But within six months, the bamboo rose over 30 metres tall. It had spent five years growing its roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to thrive.
Nothing and no one is given a challenge they cannot handle. All this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots.”
“Don’t compare yourself to others,” He said. “The bamboo has a different purpose from the fern. Yet, they both make the forest beautiful. Your time will come. You too will rise.”
This story reminds us that rest and unseen growth are essential. January is a natural time to pause, honour this slower season and let ourselves grow those roots. By doing so, you set the stage to rise to your full potential when the time is right.
