From a sprout, plants know who they are and what they need to thrive.

Its life is a journey to find the right balance of the right elements to grow into its greatest version. Even when impacted by external forces, a plant adjusts only as much as needed to continue its growth toward its natural design.

Like plants, we seek what we need to grow. Unlike plants, our understanding of our true potential and natural design is heavily influenced by external forces.

Plant a tomato in a garden of eggplants, and the tomato still grows true to its natural design. There is no second guessing. Put people together, however, and behaviors shift toward the majority.

You know the phrase: when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

The flaw in mimicry is that individuals are nurtured toward a one-size-fits-all concept of greatness, to the detriment of their unique and individual greatness.

Imagine a garden with different plants. They are in the same soil, on the same watering schedule, getting the same amount of sunlight. Some plants will thrive, while others will suffer, however, on average, most plants will do okay. They will sprout and grow, maybe produce some flowers and fruit, before withering with the changing season.

Compare this outcome to a plant that grows in its natural environment and is nurtured based on its unique needs. This plant is most likely to thrive to its fullest potential.

What about us? We’re in the same garden with similar expectations and opportunities to attain resources. Some of us will thrive, while some will suffer. On average, most of us will do okay.

Is okay the best we can do?

I think we can do better and thankfully, we have more agency over our lives than plants. If a place isn’t nurturing us, we can seek better resources. We can avoid people and things that deplete and take from us. It’s our choice when and how to use the resources we accumulate. The more choices we have, the better we can grow into the largest, most abundant versions of ourselves.

As plants grow, they produce more: more leaves taking in carbon dioxide and producing oxygen; more flowers to support more pollinators who help produce more fruit to sustain life. More color, fragrance and beauty in our world. More benefit to the greater good. More ability to do more of what it is meant to do.

What are you meant to do?

Our growth as humans - individually and collectively - supports the greater good when we can lean into our strongest values and produce from a place of our individual genius.

The first step is to reconnect with who you are as an individual, outside of the labels and expectations. To revisit those things you have compromised on or shifted away from to fit in. And those things you’ve embraced or supported to fit in. It's time to question each goal, value, and thought in discovery of your core - your natural design.

To find what makes you uniquely you.

So many of our opinions, so much of our behavior, are taught. Imprinted on us from as early as we can remember. Who are you after peeling off the layers? What is needed to be your truest self? To thrive?

As you identify what you need, lean into it. Pay attention to how your energy shifts. How your life shifts. Keep adjusting, never losing connection to those internal directions that nudge you toward what’s most natural.

Stretch unapologetically into your greatest version.

Plants, in their magnificent diversity, aren’t shy about growing true to themselves. There are slow growers and fast growers, those reaching upwards, and those stretching outwards. Their leaves, flowers and fruit form with vast variety. Each contributing something valuable to the ecosystem it lives in.

As each of us gets more of what we need, we'll grow massive and thrive as our truest selves. We could produce a plentiful harvest of thought, experience and skills to improve our collective experience. The time is now and we are the ones to do it.

This week, will you commit to taking one step toward your truest self?