Blooming in Your Own Time: Lessons from My Christmas Cactus”

Recently, I noticed something unexpected—my two Christmas cacti, true to their stubborn independence, started blooming in mid-January. It made me pause and reflect. These plants, often celebrated for their bright, festive December flowers, decided to defy expectations and bloom on their own schedule. And you know what? Their blooms are just as stunning now as they would have been during the holidays, if not more so.

This experience reminded me of an important truth: not everything, or everyone, blooms on the same timeline. As individuals, we often pressure ourselves to meet societal or self-imposed deadlines—whether it’s achieving career milestones, personal growth, or even everyday productivity. When we don’t meet these expectations, it’s easy to feel like we’ve fallen short. But just like my cacti, our best moments don’t always align with the calendar. They happen when the time is right.

The same is true for organizations. Whether you’re part of a business, a nonprofit, or a community group, growth and success rarely follow a linear path. Teams may experience slow periods before breakthrough moments. Strategic plans may take unexpected turns before producing real results. New programs, products, or campaigns may take longer than anticipated to gain traction. And that’s okay. What matters is continuing to nurture the environment—just as we water and care for plants—so growth can happen when it’s meant to.

Businesses and organizations often compare themselves to others. “Why are they growing faster?” or “Why haven’t we reached our goals yet?” can become a distracting narrative. The truth is, no two organizations operate under the same conditions. Timing, resources, and external factors all play a role. What’s more important is focusing on your mission, your strengths, and the unique “soil” of your organization. When you nurture the right environment, the blooms will come.

Reflecting on my blooming Christmas cactus in January reminds me that success, whether personal or organizational, is not about meeting arbitrary deadlines. It’s about staying consistent, patient, and ready for when the blooms do arrive. And when they do, they might be even brighter and more beautiful than you imagined.

So if you’re feeling like you or your organization is “behind,” take a breath. Growth and success don’t always happen on a predictable schedule, but they do happen. Just like my Christmas cactus, you will bloom when the time is right, and your timing will be just as meaningful and impactful.