
The day this picture was taken, I was on “Tar Beach,” or in other words, a New York City rooftop, on a 98 degree hot summer day. I was wilting. Yet, there was grass in the gutter that was thriving against all odds.
I’ve always been fascinated with weeds. They grow in the most unusual places and push through the most difficult surfaces despite the likelihood of such possibilities. Weeds are marvelously inspiring examples of strength as they push their way through seemingly stronger forces like cement or tar. I so admire weeds that I always have to stop and take their pictures. Can you imagine their energy? The perseverance and determination to reach the surface and sunlight? Weeds don’t wait to get planted. No special fertilizer is needed. Like these weeds in the gutter, they grow despite the circumstances. They push through and stand tall. Some even flower beautifully like dandelions, that even after their flowering days have passed, they still provide us with hope as we blow their seeds into the wind making wishes.
It’s our nature to be strong. To push through adversity even when it seems like all forces are against us. Storms make trees grow deeper roots. Adversity makes dandelions grow roots that can reach down 1-2 feet deep into the Earth, compared to the 4-6 inches we see above ground. Like the dandelions, you are much stronger than you think or may show to the world. Something beautiful will grow from whatever you are going through: It will be you…and the stuff dreams are made of.
This is Silver Disobedience™ #philosophy
Photo credit: Peter Rosario @700x on Instagram