Interestingly, standing over 300 feet tall and surviving over 3,000 years, the Giant Sequoia tree, one of the world’s largest and oldest trees, also known as the Sierra Redwood tree, exemplifies the meaning of longevity. Okinawa, Japan is where the seed of success meets the trait of longevity. Okinawa has the longest human life expectancy, longest health expectancy, and the lowest mortality rate globally. “In 2002, there were 34.7 people 100 years or older per 100,000 residents, the highest life expectancy of any area in the world.” Due to healthy diets Kama Chinen and Kaku Yamanaka, residents of Okinawa, are evidence of longevity as they were able to live to the age of 114 before passing away in 2010.
Further, “after examining over 900 Okinawan centenarians and numerous other elderly in their seventies, eighties, and nineties, some fascinating findings have emerged. One, genetic factors appear important to human longevity, including Okinawan longevity. Two, it has also become clear that the Okinawan lifestyle provides many reasons why older Okinawans are so remarkably healthy so far into their senior years. Discovering the reasons for the apparent genetic and environmental advantages could have an important impact on our health and well-being in the West.”
Notably, as autumn turns to winter, perennials (having a life cycle lasting more than two years) halt growth to conserve energy and to escape adverse growing conditions. This process is known as the discipline of dormancy. Disciplined plants lie dormant to sustain life during a climate or seasonal change by storing energy and redistributing that energy as needed throughout the root system.
In China, the seed of success meets the trait of discipline. Simply stated, order and structure complement tradition. Some believe individuals from China tend to perform better academically because of the structure and discipline of martial arts, which is commonly viewed as the discipline of the mind. Also attributing to China’s academic superiority is the structure within Chinese households. “Studies indicate that compared to Western parents, Chinese parents spend approximately 10 times as long every day drilling academic activities with their children. By contrast, Western kids are more likely to participate in team sports." Amy Chua gives the Chinese recipe for success. Ms. Chua is a professor at Yale Law School, so apparently the strategy worked with her. Ms. Chua provides the following list of things her daughter is never allowed to do: attend a sleepover; have a play date; be in a school play; complain about not being in a school play; watch TV or play computer games; choose their own extracurricular activities; get any grade less than an A; not be the No. 1 student in every subject, except gym and drama; and, play any instrument other than the piano or violin but must play the piano or violin. As an American, these restrictions may seem harsh or strict but studies confirm that the Chinese out perform the world academically apparently because of discipline.
When a crop can withstand the drastic seasonal climate changes year in and year out standing firmly rooted in its foundation until harvest, this process is defined as strength. “Plants referred to as "strong" or "hardy" are ones that are adaptable and tolerant of harsh conditions. These strong plants can be used in many different applications, from gardening in a difficult spot to container gardening in full sun. The best strong plants for direct sun will thrive in full sun and be highly adaptable, with many tolerances.”
The seed of success meets the trait of strength in the continent of Africa, where the lowest divorce rate is found, and where strength and determination walk hand and hand. Multiple reasons play apart in why Africans stay married longer, some of which are parallel to that of American marriages, but most differ from the values of an American marriage or relationship. For example, “Family ties. The African man lives for his people – family and friends, not just for himself. Due to the extended family system, friends and family can always come in and chastise any of the married couples about their bad behavior. The alleged culprit will listen. Because almost everyone knows the wife or husband, there is that lower tendency to go out and cheat. The woman learned to understand that leaving your man because he cheated is a waste of time, because the next spouse will likely cheat. So, the betrayed woman stays in the marriage, and with the help of the family and friends, that issue is routinely resolved. Very few African women try to control their household or their man, regardless of how much more money she makes in comparison to her mate. Those wives who have succeeded in getting a divorce due to the fact that they are making more money than their husbands find it difficult to re-marry, since the people see her as bossy.” Nevertheless, Africans share a profound sense of resilience and tenacity to preserve and succeed in their marriages, regardless of the situation.
Seeds of ambition infused with the traits of longevity, discipline, and strength planted in the soil of encouragement shall yield global success with exposure. The sun plays an immense role in plant growth, foliage, and in the blooming process. Exposure is quintessential to the growth and development of an individual and can be accomplished through networking, attending career expositions, and joining organizations. Exposure will ultimately avail the authentic identity of one’s self, which is tantamount to that of a flower. The level of exposure a plant receives greatly affects its maturation and is essential to its survival. In order to witness the true characteristic of a flower, one must wait until sunrise to see it blossom.
http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/life-expectancy.htm
http://okicent.org/study.html
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/looking-in-the-cultural-mirror/201101/how-raise-smart-kids-chinese-style
Read more: The Best Strong Plants for Direct Sun | Garden Guides http://www.gardenguides.com/87802-strong-plants-direct-sun.html#ixzz1g4tsnhGr
http://africanblogs.wordpress.com/2009/07/30/reasons-for-low-divorce-rate-in-africa-when-compared-to-in-america-african-marriages-versus-african-american-marriages-which-one-is-doing-better-and-why/
