The flower known as Morning Glory has been a symbol of many things throughout history: love, affection, mortality, and resurrection, to name a few. One not so conventional aspect of Morning Glory that has been so closely studied yet so neglected is its capacity to symbolize competence. Drawing a connection between a vibrant and graceful budding vine and competence may seem a little peculiar at first, but observe closely and the symbolism shines through.
The Morning Glory flower exemplifies competence in the most unsuspecting of manners. Competence, defined by the Oxford dictionary as “the ability to do something successfully or efficiently,” reflects the very essence of this diligent, sun-loving vine known scientifically as Ipomoea.
Firstly, the Morning Glory vine demonstrates an uncanny ability to cling and climb. Much like an individual working towards a goal, the vine navigates its environment, overcoming obstacles with ease. It effectively searches for opportunities, represented by surfaces to climb on, and progress towards the sunlight it requires for survival. This relentless pursuit for progress, a foundation of competence, is embodied perfectly by the Morning Glory vine.
Secondly, each Morning Glory vine showcases efficient usage of resources. As a vine, it stretches its leaves towards the sun, capturing light as efficiently as possible. Then it utilizes the sunlight through the process of photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose. This metabolic process demonstrates the vine’s competence, mirroring an individual’s ability to utilize their skills and resources wisely to achieve desired outcomes.
The attribute of resilience in the Morning Glory vine is another testament to its competence. Regardless of the environmental conditions or adversities such as lack of water or nutrient deficiency, the vine blooms tenaciously every morning. Much like the most competent individuals who remain positive and resilient despite setbacks, the Morning Glory vine admirably embodies the virtue of resilience.
The Morning Glory flower also adapts to changing conditions, illustrating another facet of competence: adaptability. Each flower blooms in the morning and wilts by the afternoon, adapting to the changing intensity of sunlight. This is akin to skilled individuals who adapt to unprecedented work conditions or evolving job roles, leveraging their competence to thrive amidst change.
When we consider competence as ‘being equipped for survival’, Morning Glory’s habit of self-seeding becomes an emblem of this. After flowering, it drops seeds that can endure through a cold winter and then germinate the following spring. This self-reliance and ability to survive against odds are qualities often found in competent individuals.
Interestingly, Morning Glory vines can bloom even in unfavorable conditions. Even when faced with sparse water supply or poor soil quality, the flowers continue to bloom, manifesting their unwavering commitment towards growth. This persevering nature mirrors competence, for truly competent individuals persevere and remain committed to their goals, no matter the complexities they face.
In conclusion, defining competence down to its core, we find that it is not just about embodying a certain set of skills. Competence is about adaptability, resilience, efficient use of resources, commitment, and perseverance, much like the beautiful Morning Glory vine. Its attributes serve as great reminders of the core aspects of competence, encapsulating the principles of diligent progress, productive use of resources, tenacity, adaptability, self-reliance, and persistence.
The humble Morning Glory, therefore, serves as more than just a beautiful adornment for our gardens. It is a living testament and a daily reminder of the inherent competence and resilience that resides in the heart of nature and subsequently, within us all.
