The Chinese Bamboo

This is a beautiful story for our young generation to show them that continued work and effort on their part can make changes. The old adage is true Patience is a Virtue!

What a beautiful teaching. I needed this reminder today, and have renewed resolve to live my passion. Thank you for sharing this with us.

inspirational story

Beautiful story, and fitting title since the Chinese are known as the Jews of Asia.

Thank you, one is inspired to keep working on oneself even when the immediate results are not so obvious.

Individual bamboo stems emerge from the ground and grow to their full height in a single growing season of 3 to 4 months. In the next two years, the wall of each stem hardens, and matures. Over the next 2–5 years (depending on species) fungus and mold begin to form on the outside of each stem or culm, which penetrate and overcome them and within 5 – 8 years later fungal and mold growth causes them to collapse and decay. The the shown in the first minute (to 0:58) of this video are not bamboo, and neither is the "enormous network of roots" shown. Again, some species of bamboo can grow to 40 feet in height in one 3 to 4 month growing season, and where they grow they are not dependent on being hand watered.

Indeed, these things may be true about a different Species and not really Bamboo, but with it you miss the Mark Completely. Thank you for your information, but how has it built up or made any real difference? Plainly put, so what?

Neither is a child used to plant bamboo...the pictures where put there to get the message across NOT as information about bamboo.

Whoa! Unbelievably beautiful and powerful message! Brought me to tears right away. I always seem to be more emotional around the Chaggim. This year is no different. A wedding, a new job, a move to a new ap't. A broken relationship. But, now, my emotions have a direction. Now, I'm in watering "mode." Fruits come later. Thanks again, REALLY Good, Reuven Frank

Thank you for presenting text with images. In the nursing home where I live, I use a public access computer that does not have speakers. I'm glad I was able to learn from this effective video.

I love this message! It is encouraging!

Gives me hope, even at this "advanced age" (won't say what it is!) for dream to happen-still.

A wonderful lesson for life!

Beautiful- perfect

this was a drop of water in hot day it gives hope

Thank you for this awesome video.It is just what I need to hear and really inspired me to go forward and not give up.Keep up the great work!

very powerful message thank you aish.com!!shanah tova ;)

I really liked this. it is so nice to know especially right befor rosh hashana.

I plan to share this thought at the Rosh Hashana table. Thank you. Shana Tova. Keep stengthening our roots.

this is so encouraging!

So very true. A beautiful reminder. Thank you, Aish.

You message video was very inspiring. It really uplift my spiritual being. You make a difference.... Thank you

What a wonderful video. It really touch my heart...and thought me a lesson... Inspiring.

wonderful story. thank you, Diane Shana Tova

toall the brother and sister aroud the world shana tove frome me bernard

Thank you for sharing this moving message! Shanah Tovah!

A insightful message to be reflected upon....loved it!!!!!

wow! i am i loved it. the message is so powerful and will help me always.

Tkank you

Deep thoughtful and meaningful video. Thank you. JF.

wow incredible what a great film be4 rosh hashana i think what ais do is unbelivable

My new year started differently for this video. Shana Tova.

Wow, what a clip. This is amazing as I can relate this to myself in so many different ways, like what Hashem is doing to me now. Watch out some time in the future as the foundations are being layed in readyness for that burst of groth and fruitfulness. I needed that encouragement in these times.

Loved this piece!!!!

I love the story of the Bamboo taking 5 years to grow very tall. I feel like I have been growing through all my years, but there seems to be some stagnation. My husband and I have been taking note on our business growth from last year when we first opened it up to the singles. We had no clients last year, but now we have four plus two Teleclasses a few months ago. But it is so hard to market and I feel stuck like everyone out there. We both have skills to work, but I guess this movie makes a point as to show us that we must keep working on our goals in order to boost them up to where we want them. May Hashem bless us with a great strong New Year of productivity and success!

Continuing the bamboo metaphor, I wonder what identifiable changes in the outward life or the inner soul of a Jewish person are equivalent to the extraordinary, visible growth of the bamboo plant. I wonder if oneself or anyone else will be able to tell; I do love the metaphor and hope it turns out to be true.

beautiful story puts rosh hashana into a new perspective makes me think alot about everything ive done in which i saw no growth but now i know the truth!!

TYTYTYTY That was SO inspiring!! I really neded this. Have a wonderfull & sweet & blessed new year to ALL!!

and so very true for many of us!! Thank you!!

How sweet! Every day of our life we are preparing for the next. The way we live our life today is preparing us for tomorrow. Our daily agenda, even tho unknown to others; preparing for something, will one day sprout up. The infusing roots in preparation to weather the storms to enhance our growth. Your video was inspiring. At the end of a long term assignment this video was uplifting, the best is yet to come. The discipline will reap a masterpiece of potential success.

After 5 years of learning I felt that I'm not moving. Now I know that I am! thanks a lot

How true. People who succeed don't do so overnight--it takes years of patient cultivation and persistence. I loved this one!!!

All the aish videos, blogs, tutorials excell. Plant roots and yea shall grow tall. love Debby http://www.twitter.com/DebbyBruck

Just great !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We really needed this right now. It is very hard when it is taking years, to see the "end of the story" in our lives right now.

This was absolutely perfect and what I needed. It gives me hope to know that all is not hopeless. It's also quite beautiful to the eyes.

Kal Hakovod to whoever took the time and put in the effort to put together this phonomenal video! What a good pick-me-up it is! Knowing that every little positive step I take is saved up and used towards my growth helps me keep going! Keep up the fantabulous work!

so encouraging...

Very comforting and encouraging.

Thank you for this inspiring and encouraging message.

What an inspirational video! I've already added the URL to my signature! I'm sure I'll be able to give over this message much better with such a powerful metaphor! Aish you've done it again, well done, keep up the good work!

aish, u have no idea what amazing powers u have! i was on the web, just you know... doing what teenagers like to do best and i decided 2 check out ur site and i ttly got inspired by this video!! ur site rly helps and encourages many people, young and old alike! keep up ur great work! :) thanx!!

aish you re really good

I stumbled on another one in youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9axslthfco Life is like the chinese bamboo. We seemingly thought we do things right, nothing seems to happen. We prepare to pay the price, prepare the ground to plant the seed a... Nevermind. Good thing repeated are better to best. No problem egg came first or chicken. These help me to encourage in our endeavour 'enforce law lawfully and follow law faithfully' through rightinformer.com which has very little result for three years. Thanks.

Every one of us has the potential to grow spiritually, every single day. If we take the time to look all around us, and see the miracles that Hashem is performing for us- by simply allowing us to take breath after breath easily, is awesome. Take one day at a time to really learn the message that Hashem is sending to you personally, feeling the extra strength that we simply can't figure out where it came from, to deal with the days challenges. Hashem is always there supporting us. Times will be difficult, and that is when we have the most growth- think about it.

A pity I did not look at this prior to rosh hashana. This message has changed my perception of life

Very Inspiring

Thanks! this is a phenomenal piece, perfect graphics and sound, with good editing. excellent message! great job, aish. you did it again.

this so inspired me i shared it with every one i know it was beautifullydone and such a powerful message thank you

Very moving nice to listen and made me realise that Hashem see my heart...

a beautiful video it makes you realize that growing is a hard and long process and if you dont c the progress its still there and hashem sees it so dnt wry

Trully inspirational. Brings tears to my eyes. Thank you so much. The zechus is with you guy. So special.

I keep coming back to this piece, again and again. I just love it! It reminds me of when Rabbi Akivah didn't think he could go to yeshiva and learn. When he was out for a walk, he noticed that a rock had been worn away by small drops of water. Then he thought, if water can wear away rock, then words of Torah can get into my head. And this was the beginning of his journey. L'Shana Tovah to Jews everywhere!

Amazing, Just like the Shofar one breath such a loud voice comes out, same thing in life work on the little things first then the world opens in forn of you

Hope is eternal

I will send this to my sons, I know that this will answer so many questions. Shana Tova

Change to our lot in life happens slowly. Patience allows us to change our luck. Things happen gradually. Doing something about our lives takes work but it's worth it in the end, since baby steps add up.

simply beautiful!

It is this process of growth of the Bamboo that makes it such a strong member of the plant family. Taking the time to be nourished by "water" (ie. Torah, food, loves ones)creates immense growth and strength of body and mind.

So it is with the redemption of our nation. At the beginning it may not be recognized as such because it seems so small, secular, materialistic. Many ask: is this the redemption we prayed for? The Divine spiritual ideal of the final redemption - which requires a great and strong physical body to receive it - works beneath the surface to first prepare its earthly foundation and receptacle. But we should not be discouraged nor disillusioned, rather keep watering and enable that great soul to reveal itself. The Sages described the generation of Messiah, saying it is good on the inside and evil on the outside, therefore we mustn't judge by what is presently revealed, rather see what is growing within and help lead it to its full expression.

My strongest desire is to be able to grow like that,to touch and help the people i come into contact with,to have the strength and light of the Lord our God, to be after his heart and about his business..To be a strong help in uncertain times... Bless to you All

How very true.. life is a journey and it takes time for us to realize not only what we need to change in our life but to make changes to what happens around us. This only happens when we take stock in ourselves and have our friends and family to support us. Our friends are our source of nurishment and God's spirit and lessons from the Torah help us grow. L'Shana Tova

Wow! Such an amazing metaphor. You guys are so special. Shana tova!

Not everything in life is so easily apparent and so easily noticed.One must have patience to overcome, on occasion, insurmountable odds and never lose hope and always try to be strong. Shana Tova

What a wonderful thing to remember. Years arent wasted but are growth underneath it all. Thanks Karen

There are so many examples like this such as the Redwoods. Those trees have to grow together to beable to stand the strong winds. Yet see how tall and old they get. I didn't know this about Bamboo.

We all come to a mature point in which our growth is complete. What we ares suppossed to do once this is done is already written. Let our patient development become what Creation expects from us.

Anything worthwhile that results in beauty requires time and patience. Sadly, everyone is in a hurry to see the fruit of their labors appear overnight.

VERY TRUE, BUT WE DON'T LOOK AT LIFE THAT WAY; WE SHOULD; THIS IS JUST A BEAUTIFUL PIECE, MUSIC AND PHOTOS.

lovely, and very much neded, does anyone know what kind of trre that is in the video???

I liked the video because it showed that just because we don't see ourselves changing on the outside we really are on the inside. And even if we don't feel any change we really are.

This true story is very inspiring. This is also about raising children. We "water them (teach them Torah and Chassidus). Fertilize them (feed them kosher food) Then after so many years we finally see their growth and start shepping nachas.

I love it ,was send to me by my frien tanchs.

ITS SIMPLY UNBELIEVEBLE HOW G-D SHOWS US HIS WISDOM EVEN FROM A PLANT YOU CAN LEARN FROM A TREE THIS IS FOR WE TO THANK ALL OF THE BLESSINGS THAT WE HAVE THANKS ONLY TO HIM

Thank you! This was quite inspiring. Now if only I wouldn't keep forgetting to water myself... God bless!

Oh, thank you so much:-)

I loved this very moving and inspirational video. It sends a fantastic message, one that needs to be heard everyday, especially this time of year! Shana Tova!

תודה רבה

This film encouraged me a lot and boosted my hope in God. Thank You.

Thank you so much for this amazing video. It remind me that it takes, time and perseverance to see results in our way to grow up. Shana Tova!

we dont always see how far we have come in our walk and sometimes we feel no progress has been made but this video really opens your eyes to the understanding that change is not always instant no matter how much we want it ! sometimes it takes time ,patience ,perserverance and trust in god.Thankyou so much for this i have shown it to my employees as a encouragement and it has impacted us all.

This film shows a message we all need to hear and keep in mind. Day by day as we read and learn inspiring material it has an influence on us. It requires regular learning and thinking. We might not see the change at first. But eventually it's clearly noticeable.

The film tells us not to give up but stay the course.Shana Tova to every one at Aish.com.

Thank you so much for this inspirational video. This is exactly the lesson I needed to hear right now, not to be discouraged, but to keep moving forward and then growth will appear. Thank you again. Kasiva v'chasima tova!

Thank you a million times over for this beautiful piece that reminds every last person on earth has value, limited only by their own doubt or fear of others. Thank you for this priceless gift.

This film has taught me that even though one is down and feels hopeless (chas v'shalom), nevertheless, one is encouraged to improve himself and one day, like the Bamboo in the film, he grows and grows. NEVER EVER GIVE UP! Shana Tova.

Although I am of a different faith we all lead our lives through and with God. One must always reflect and take stock of our actions through our daily lives so we may continually answer in a positive way the question: " If God is in everyone then how will I treat the next person I meet?"

Very inspiring, gives me a LOT to think about.

I'm so moved by this. It is so true. The important things in life take time--and we need to keep watering. This was so timely; I was feeling discouraged. May you be blessed, Aish.com, for the constant inspiration you provide.

Your movie is so meaningful-it reinforces to me that Hashem's truths and unifying principles are manifest in all life.

... are rolling down my cheeks. One heart full of hope swells just a little more. Thank you ... and Shanah tovah! :)

I was particularly able to identify w/ the man in the video. Growth can be very hard to attain.

Thank you

This film is so good.....it can give inspiration to ALL sections of the community no matter HOW observant they think they are. Shanna tova...keep up the good work

Thankyou to all at Aish.com, for the most amazing inspiritional video "The Chinese Bamboo", it has given me great encouragement, hope that ha-Shem is working behind the scenes in our lives and to keep pushing ahead learning, then the results will come. I long to convert, but due to family circumstances I am not able to just yet. Thankfully I am able to go to Shule and keep Shabbat the best I can. For me, with Rosh HaShanah approaching, the sound of the Shofar calling, Ha-Shem is touching each and everyones lives in a different way to encourage us. "The Chinese Bamboo" spoke to my heart so much and has encouraged me to dig deeper, show more kindness and patience, then the blessing will be greater. Thankyou for this wonderful video, and the great teaching that comes through Aish.com, I am very, very grateful for this fantastic site. Shana Tova,

As my family enters its fifth year attending an orthodox shul, this really hit home. We are finally shomer shabbat, and have a fully kosher home. Sometimes it DOES take a long time for things to mature.

THANKS FOR THE AMAZING VIDEO.. I THINK MANY PEOPLE RELATE TO THIS PROLEM.. I KNOW I CERTAINLY DO.. IT GAVE ME GREAT CHIZUK TO KNOW THAT SOMETHING "TANGIBLE AND REAL" CAN TEACH US THIS HARD TO LEARN LESSON IN LIFE! SHANA TOVA AND THANKS!

yet there is deaper meaning to trusting God and putting our roots down....we can hide we can reject truth but that wont get us to the next level in life. time to be real...thanks David.

what an inspiring video. Many of us feel like that young man, and this message encourages us not to feel down, and to the contrary have hope that we are on the right track. Thank you! SHANA TOVA UMESUKA.

This is such encouragement to me. I am the only one in my family who is religious, and there are no other religious people within 5 hours of me. I do the best I can, but feel so isolated and alone - and struggle to maintain the effort to move forward some days. I feel as though I never make any progress. I will now think of this video when I am discouraged. Thank you.

Wonderful indeed. I consider the comparison as a direct definition of what growth is. Fantastic.

Shana tova everyone All the best Paul - Berkeley California

Was very touching and fitting for the time of year, thanks Aish.com!!!!

Dear SIrs, I deeply enjoyed this video: It is truly a message of hope and trust in Our God. And we need also to rejoice with our everyday efforts . Shaná Tová and Blessings to all of Aish,. org ! Shalom!

Thanks for this video. i shared it like a holiday card have a great New year!!!!!

This is highly encouraging! Patience leads to maturity and the Lord deals with us individually. He's never late. L'Shanah Tovah!!! May this year be your sweetest! :-))

thank you for this truly inspiring and true message. I could not have read it at a better time in my life. I needed the encouragement. thank you so much.

Its a beautiful video and very meaningful. It gives hope and strength. Thank you so much for sharing it. Shana Tova

BS"D "Que seais inscriptos en el libro de todo lo bueno" IMPRESIONANTISÍMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was exactly the type of clip i needed to see right now.

this was beautiful - would have loved for you to offer this and other things a Jewish Greeting cards from individual people as a free service. Can you do this???

This is so achingly beautiful. It speaks for itself. Happy New Year!

I LOVE this piece! It really touched the deepest part of my neshamah. Shanah Tovah

sometimes 50 years have come and gone ....sometimes we no longer are watering our plants....some die some hold on and are revived in the brief periods we water again but we can always rejoice in the beauty that is part of this world...mostly in the children, the light and nature that HaShem gave to all of us....even those of us that must deal with sadness, sickness and disappointment It is there for us especially on Rosh HaShanna and every day to sustain us through the coming winter until spring again

What a beautiful movie with such a deep message for us all

What a beautifully made movie with a deep timely message. Shana tova to all.