Over the years, I’ve come to understand that the best teachers aren’t always found in front of a classroom and some of them aren’t even human! Many of my greatest lessons have come from plants — those silent, rooted, and ever-patient beings that share our world.

Here are some of the things they’ve taught me:

1. Stay Grounded, But Reach for the Light
Plants know how to stay firmly rooted in the soil, but they never stop reaching for the sun. That balance — being grounded while always growing — is something I try to embody every day.

2. Healing is Natural
Watching plants thrive in the right conditions reminded me that healing isn’t forced — it happens naturally when we remove the toxins, nourish the body, and give it time. Whether it’s a wilted herb revived with water or a cut leaf that mends itself, plants are proof that living things want to heal.

3. There's Beauty in the Slow
We live in a fast-paced world, yet plants remind me that slow is not only okay — it’s powerful. Roots take time. Growth takes time. And flowering, well, that happens in its own season.

4. Shed What No Longer Serves
Just like a tree releases its leaves, we can (and should!!) let go of what’s weighing us down. Old habits, toxic thoughts, clutter — release them, gently and naturally, so new life can bloom.

5. Every Season Has a Purpose
Plants don’t resent the winter — they rest. They prepare. That reminder has helped me embrace my own seasons of quiet, of reflection, of simply being. Rest is not lazy; it’s part of the process.

6. Give for the Sake of Giving
Plants give without needing recognition. They purify air, feed insects, offer us medicine, food, and beauty. Their generosity is quiet but constant. That kind of giving is something I aspire to — simple, steady, from the heart.

7. We All Need the Right Environment
Some plants thrive in sunlight, others in the shade. Some love lots of water, others not so much. People are like that too. We flourish when we’re in the right environment — around the right people, the right energy, the right words. And other people flourish when we help them find their right environment.

I’ve come to understand that plants speak the language of life, of healing, of quiet strength. If we slow down and pay attention, we’ll find they have so much to teach us — not just about surviving, but about thriving with grace.