“Stubborn” weed in my garden

I was cleaning my yard the other day and was planting Fall flowers. I noticed prickly weeds growing all over the ground. We all have weeds in our garden, things that pop up and grow. Things we didn’t invite. They are prickly, they spread fast, and they don’t follow our plan. I cleaned them up and was satisfied to see a weed-free garden. Few days passed. I was taking a leisure walk in my garden, and I was shocked to see that stubborn weed back again and this time they have spread to other areas as well. Again, I spent time in weeding however, to my utter surprise they are back again in a week. How Stubborn!

Exactly, that’s the thought which came to my mind. How stubborn are they? I was trying my best to remove them from the ground, but they were not ready to give up and each time they grew back, fierce and strong.

Why am I talking about weeds? Well, if we observe this, there is a huge learning for all of us. We all have dreams and aspirations in life. How do we react when we fail to reach our goals? How do we respond if our dreams are shattered by the force of adversities, failures, wrong decisions? Do we get up and grow back again to try one more time and one more time and one more time, like that weed?

My point is you need to be stubborn in life like that weed plant to accomplish your goals and finally the purpose. No matter, how many times you fail, just get up and try again and again and again. Be Stubborn like that weed! Stubbornness is a tough side of perseverance. Those who exhibit this attribute are called passionate, decisive, full of conviction, and all these are admirable leadership characteristics. They are like weeds, who don’t want to give up and grow back despite failures in life. Being stubborn isn’t always a bad thing. It might carry a negative persona however, it can be quite an asset, a virtue.

How did India or the US receive freedom from Britishers? It was because of stubborn freedom fighters who refused to admit defeat, control, policies, and governance by the Britishers in their own country. Despite seeing so many setbacks in the whole journey of freeing themselves from unwarranted persecution by the British army, revolutionaries didn’t give up. Each failure, loss of many great rebels to this great cause, instigated the freedom fighters to grow back again and again, and finally, they persuaded the Britishers to leave their country. Do you think, it would have been possible without being stubborn?

At times, it is only by being stubborn that we can bring a great idea to life. Being stubborn makes us persevere. It helps us stand our ground when everyone else is trying to tell us that we are wrong. Stubborn people know what they want in life and they are very quick decision-makers. They are hardworking, very focused, and get things done. If you see closely, perseverance is stubbornness with purpose in mind. Being stubborn is not a flaw, it’s a gift if you know how to capitalize on the strength of it to meet your objectives & goals of your life.

However, there is a dark side to being stubborn too. When there is overwhelming evidence that we are wrong, we are becoming over-controlling, we are being foolish and causing harm to others and ourselves, but we still insist on staying our course, we must ask ourselves what motivate us to dig our heels in? What is happening in our inner world?

Stubborn people don’t like to change easily. They fear changes and rigid in their behavior to accept others’ points of view. They are always in their guard, lashing out at anyone who tries to question their ideas, instead of accepting new information or entertain the possibility that someone else could be right, they prefer to argue and fight back. They are often prejudiced and resort to stereotyping.

Stubborn people can change if they are prepared to explore why they do, what they do, and ready to channelize their energy towards the great cause. They may learn to appreciate other’s perspectives and pathways to greatness. They learn to become like those rebels, who know what their purpose and no matter what, they won’t stop unless their dreams are fulfilled. They will grow back quick like that weed despite discouragement & hardships.

Well, in the end, I would say be like that stubborn weed plant towards your goals and dreams of life. Don’t give up easily.