We can count the number of seeds in an apple. Can we count how many apples can come from a seed?

Simple question but very profound indeed. This is certainly one of the best illustration on the concept of “potential”.

Do we judge a person, a situation or a project – based on what we can see or what we have on hand? Do we look beyond what is possible in the whole synergy of it?

Is it 1+1= 2, or 1+1>2, or 1+1=3, or 1+1+1 = n? However fancy we may create a “formula” to describe any form of relationship, the question remains:

Can you count how many apples can come from that seed?

Of course, bearing fruits is not an overnight event. It may take months and even years. The time from it being sown to the time of bearing fruit, is called “LAG”.

This lag can be days, months, years or even decades. But we need to ensure optimum environment conducive for the seed’s growth.

Otherwise, after the lag there still won’t be any fruits in sight. If it were so, why then are we given so many seeds in an apple, when only a few will get to grow?

Fact is, many seeds will never grow. Some will be eaten by birds, some will fall on grounds that cannot grow, some will be crushed…etc. Only a few, just that few will get to grow. Similarly, there will be many “wasted” potential/ possibilities. Many of our efforts, ideas, projects may never bear fruits. But a few will. We need to keep going because of those few that will eventually grow …

And the beauty of it all is this:

When the “few” seeds do get to grow, we will have no idea how many apples we are going to get. To make it even more wonderful, we won’t be harvesting once, but again and again, year after year!