“In a time of social distancing, a treatise on connection to fill the human soul”
I love avocado trees!
Of course, I love avocados too. I mean who doesn’t? They provide us with that buttery amazing flavored fruit, giving us guacamole and avocado burgers and avocado toast. How can you not love them!
But Avocado trees themselves have always been very special to me. They are beautiful tall, strong plants, but the reason they are so special is that I had learned that Avocado Trees are unique in that they need a community – a group of avocado trees around them – to thrive.
That knowledge comforted me. I always thought they were sort of a metaphor for human beings. The avocado, just like people, can’t do it alone, right? We need each other. As Brene’ Brown said in her famous TedTalk: “We are hard-wired for connection”. The meaning behind that is that here on this planet with the intention of having connection with others.
Then one terrible black day came. I was talking with a friend of mine and she said:
“Kimberly – I think you’ve got that story wrong. I heard that that avocado trees actually are in the category of self-pollinating trees. If that’s true, then they should be able to survive alone.”
I was shocked. This couldn’t be true. Could it? Had I been living a lie?
No! Impossible! She had to be wrong!
So I went to Google and had a little look-see….and this is what I found.
It turns out, that the flowers of avocado trees do have both male and female parts. In fact, they are described as “uniquely perfect” in that way. And since the plant has developed over millennia to survive, and they do contain both the male and female parts and within one flower they are, in theory, able to populate cross-pollinate themselves.
My world shook. I felt betrayed. My happy metaphor was crumbling.
I kept researching. I dug desperately. I knew in the back of my mind I was searching for something…. Well, something “more” to this story. Something that would save me from this horrible truth. But the more I dug, the more I saw the facts of it. She was right. The science was there.
I was devastated. It turns out that my beloved tree did not need any other tree around. They have everything they need. They are whole and complete. All by themselves.
Isn’t that the saddest thing you’ve ever heard?
Me too.
I was at a precipice. How could I continue on? How could I have been so deceived by this luscious, delicious, delectable fruit?
As I continued my research, I zeroed in on the unique characteristics of the flower. And I struck upon hope.
It turns out that while it is, in fact, true that this amazing plant does contain all of the pieces and parts to survive, evolution has come up with a very unique twist in the blossoming of the avocado tree flower itself.
The flowers only open for two days.
That’s right. And even more interesting, on the first day, the female part of the flower opens singularly – and for just the briefest window of time – two to four hours. Now, during this time, it can receive pollen, however, the male parts are not exposed.
Then, most intriguingly – or beguilingly if you will, on the second day, the male parts of the flower open for a short time to release pollen.
Which means – stay with me – since both parts are not open at the same time, it is extremely difficult or impossible if you will, for an avocado flower to pollinate itself!
From a scientific point of view, it actually speaks to the need for gene diversity. You see, this amazing beautiful slice of nature has genetically developed specifically to not self-pollinate, but to cross-pollinate with other flowers which are opening at other times nearby! They truly do need the community!
So yes! My amazing trees came through! But now in my own greater understanding, their metaphor is even better. Because, just like people, while we are all fully capable of doing things independently…. While we all have the pieces and parts to manage all on our own… The truth is….
We need each other.
Especially as entrepreneurs.
We need diverse opinions. Clever ideas. The wealth of knowledge. The theories and understandings of others, to become our best selves. We, like the great avocado tree, need community.
We need each other.
So while our governments may be encouraging distancing, I encourage connection. Virtual connection if need be. Because the truth is, we can’t do it alone.
We need each other to thrive.
Come join the community. We look forward to seeing you!