Be Like Bamboo: Patient, Strong, and Flexible

Being like bamboo means working on your internal being, investing on resilience, and not being afraid of "bending" once in a while. At the end, you'll come back to your former self, stronger than ever.

Written and verified by the psychologist Valeria Sabater.

Last update: 15 November, 2021

Being like bamboo means coming closer to the ancient wisdom of nature itself. It’s understanding that taking care of your soul requires time and patience. In addition, it’s knowing that it doesn’t matter how strong the wind blows or how rough the storm is because you’ve already learned to be flexible and, above all, resilient.

Bamboo is one of the most wonderful plants out there. It’s simply mystical. There are about 1500 different species of bamboo and some of them can reach up to 40 meters (131 feet) in height. There’s even a species of bamboo whose flowers blossom once every 120 years.

This amazing plant releases a lot of oxygen into the atmosphere and absorbs more carbon dioxide than other plants.

Its resistance has made this plant an inspiring reference for many philosophical, spiritual, and psychological practices. Some claim that there’s a secret code inside bamboo plants, a singular formula that nature gifted it that make it both beautiful and resistant.

In China, for example, this plant is part of the Four Noble Ones. These plants are the most symbolic plants for them: the plum blossom, the orchid, the bamboo, and the chrysanthemum. Each one of those plants represents a season. Bamboo is the strong, fresh, and beautiful summer.

Being like bamboo: The key to happiness

Nature is often our best inspiration. If Egyptians built a great part of their cosmology by observing the stars and their movements and changes, maybe it’s time to start seeing nature with a different perspective to be able to find true happiness.

Being like bamboo is all about imitating it to develop two essential things that will help us overcome any difficulty: resistance and flexibility.

Time and patience

We have to admit that society seems allergic to patience. We’ve gotten used to immediate outcomes and instant notifications on our phones.

In addition, we’ve gotten used to going to doctor to ask for antibiotics for a common cold. We want to feel well as soon as possible. We want quick solutions. But don’t forget that sometimes the body just needs time to heal.

Being like bamboo means investing in patience. It means reminding yourself that it takes seven years for bamboo to grow. During that time, it works on its “internal being”. It improves its roots, absorbs nutrients, and prepares itself. Thus, once it comes out of the earth and sees the light, nothing can get in its way. Bamboo is unstoppable and magnificent and can grow up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) a day.

Everyone has the right to reach the top

People often say that we set our own limits. It’s clear that in many cases it’s not possible to reach certain goals. Our society has barriers and filters that condition and limit our dreams.

Being like bamboo means remembering that we have the right to reach the top. There may be enemies around us or events that hinder our professional success. However, we must keep in mind that there are many great opportunities waiting for us.

Flexible and resistant through tough times

Bamboo can grow with many other plants of its kind or on its own. It can find a home in different regions of the world. In addition, it can form dense forests. However, bamboo never stops being resistant and flexible. 

• It can endure large earthquakes. In fact, it doesn’t matter if its stems are cut because bamboo regenerates, heals, and grows again, even stronger and more unstoppable than before. 
• It spends seven years growing under the soil and extending its roots. This is what makes it so strong and sturdy.

Being like bamboo means having a resilient attitude in life. It means you have to accept that sometimes adversity can make you bend over. However, if you’re strong, you’ll go back to your former self, happier and more beautiful than before.