A Chinese propaganda poster in the Nianhua style, 1950s-70s
It is easy to love abundance, strength, wisdom, harmony, and prosperity.
These things satisfy hunger, fuel optimism, and bring peace to the soul.
But what if we are talking about something small, weak, foolish, and dirty?
Suddenly, there are far fewer volunteers.
Why?
We want everything, all at once. We don't have the patience to invest in growth and wait.
We ourselves are too weak for that.
Compare a gardener when he's well-fed versus when he's starving.
Given a handful of seeds — who plants them and tends to them, and who eats them on the spot?
The weak cannot tolerate weakness in others. The naive cannot tolerate another person's mistakes. The fragile despise vulnerability in everyone, especially in themselves.
Yet everything great was once small. Everything powerful was once weak. Everything sharp was once dull.
Not only did it take a great deal of time — someone also created the conditions. Growth happened because of love.
Love for what?
For a potential that was invisible to everyone. Except one person.
Sometimes one person is enough.
Sometimes even one word.
Or just a look.
Enough to awaken in the seed the desire to become what it was meant to be.
Sincerely yours,
-Alexander
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