"Strong as a Dandelion"

Have you ever noticed those small yellow flowers all over green lawns? The very sturdy, long living, annoying to many, and yet, beautiful dandelions… Dandelions spread further, are more difficult to exterminate than most “weeds”, and grow under the most adverse circumstances. Most gardeners detest them; but the more you try to dig them up, the faster they grow. Their root is deep, twisted, and brittle; unless you remove it completely, it will regenerate. If you break off more pieces than you unearth, the dandelion wins. Amazing little plants indeed! They’re very versatile too: its leaves are edible and great additions to salads (believe it or not!) or they can be sautéed or steamed. You can also eat dandelion flowers and use them for wine. Even its roots are edible; dandelion roots can be eaten just like carrots and are also a very popular herbal remedy. Unlike most other seeds, dandelions can germinate without long periods of dormancy and the seeds can develop without cross-fertilization, so a flower can fertilize itself; which allows the plant to disperse its seeds as early as the day after the flower opens. Wow! Each seed has like a tiny parachute of sorts, which helps the seeds "fly" long distances, where they can settle and start a new plant.

These dandelions are amazing little plants (I almost want to say "creatures"). They remind me of how resilient, strong and persistent some people can be; even after experiencing tragedies and hard times in their lives. The word "dandelion" would be a good analogy when referring to someone’s inner strength and character: “that person is as strong as a dandelion.” A person with dandelion characteristics is a strong, determined, patient, resilient person; someone who never gives up, even when the going gets tough, and after being knocked down many times (by people or by life itself). She gets up quickly when she falls - nothing keeps her down.

So let’s learn from the incredible dandelions. Let’s learn to become strong like them; stubborn at times, determined to reach our goals and dreams, resilient and brave, and establishing deep roots in the soil of humanity.