"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me". Or do they......?
A science fair project. Mr. M chose for his project: Do Plants Have Feelings?
The experiment: Purchase two plants that are the exact same. Treat them exactly the same except for one thing. Each day Mr. M would take plant A up into his bedroom, close the door, and tell plant A five negative things. You're ugly. Pink is an ugly color. etc. Then he would bring plant A back and take plant B up to his room, close the door, and tell plant B five positive things. You are such a pretty plant. Pink is such a pretty color. You are so strong. Etc.
Day one. Both plants look the same.
Day 2: We're already seeing signs. Plant A has some leaves that are starting to wilt.
Day three: Plant A loses a leaf.
And so it goes....... plant A starts to lose leaves. Several leaves a day and the pink color starts to fade.
More leaves fall.........
Plant B hasn't lost any leaves.
So many leaves lost........... the pink not as vibrant............ plant B thrives while sitting next to it plant A struggles.
More leaves drop.
And then the stems start to droop. No longer able to hold themselves up after 14 days of being told negative things.
"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me". False! Be careful what and how you speak to others.
P.S. Experiment lasted 14 days. The second the experiment ended we have been lavishing much love on plant A and we are happy to announce that plant A is thriving and happy under it's new love and attention. Which brings us to another lesson. Repentance and forgiveness. May we all be as forgiving as our little plant A.
Definitely a lesson all of us need to remember- grown up and little ones alike - especially these days.
ReplyDeleteIt can make such a difference when someone takes a moment to spread a little kindness instead of hurt. You never know when that smile, hug, kind word, or listening ear will save a day or even a life.
I'm glad plant A is reviving. :-) Thanks for the reminder that we can all change and forgive.
Like you said, just a smile. It doesn't cost anything but the pay off is huge.
DeleteThat is amazing. I hope he can preach the lesson of repentance and forgiveness along with the science. What a great lesson on so many levels....
ReplyDeleteIt's a good lesson for around the dinner table to discuss!
DeleteThat is remarkable! I'm calling my kids in to see this!
ReplyDeleteIt is remarkable. I have to say, after two days I couldn't stand it. I wanted the experiment to end. Just knowing we were hurting something!! I couldn't wait to lavish the plant when it was all done.
DeleteOh! Oh! So cool! Like Emoto's experiments with water. Hadn't thought of how it would impact a plant. So fascinating. And I love that it has an uplifting ending.
ReplyDeleteOkay. So get this. Our body is made up of how much water? What is the percentage? So if water reacts that way........... and we are made up with such a high percentage of water..... being told negative things really does affect and hurt us!
DeleteWhy don't I know about Emoto and water? Gonna have to google that....
DeleteDo google it!! It's fascinating!!!
DeleteWhat a great way to show the effect of our words.
ReplyDeleteA pretty powerful lesson for us all.
DeleteI couldn't stand to do it, either. What I'd like to quantify is the effect that being mean had on Mr. M - if we measured his blood pressure and all kinds of physiological things as he said the five negative things, then the five loving things. That would be mighty interesting.
ReplyDeleteOoh! That would be interesting!!! Too bad we didn't think of it because I wouldn't be able to go back and do it again knowing harm was being done. Interesting though......
DeleteOkay - I googled the Emoto thing and found that the man's work is not accepted in the scientific community, not only because his method isn't double blind, with strong controls, but it has also not been replicated by earnest people trying to duplicate it - and probably the worst bit - he's selling his fancy water for about $35 for a small bottle, claiming health benefits.
ReplyDeleteThe plant experiment stands for it itself. There is the chance that, in singling out little plant A the way M had to do, the very act of it may have effected his physical caring for the plant - subtly changing the amount of water or something - which would not negate the lesson, but make it a little more complex.
Well that just stinks doesn't it! What some will do to make money!!!
DeleteMr. M singled both plants out. Both plants are in the same place on the kitchen counter, were watered the exact same at the same time, and taken out of the room to be 'talked' to for the exact amount of time. He tried to keep things the same as much as possible for the two plants except the words he said. He would take plant A out of the room so plant B couldn't hear. He'd say the 5 things, then he'd put the plant back. He'd then take plant B out of the room so plant A couldn't hear, say the 5 positive things, and then put it back next to plant A. The two plants have sat side by side on my kitchen counter as you see them in the photos getting the exact same treatment except for when removed to speak the 5 positive or neg. things.
What was amazing to me was not only did plant A start to wilt, but one of the things Mr. M told it was that pink was an ugly color and that plants weren't supposed to be pink. For plant B he told the plant that pink was a pretty color and that it was doing such a good job with it's pink leaves (something to the effect of that). Plant A, the pink started to fade. It was a lighter pink. Plant B, the pink was more of a darker 'hot' pink. So it wasn't just the wilting, the plant reacted in color too! So fascinating!
Which proves the point I've felt all along. If you tell somebody enough times that they are a dead beat, when they aren't, they'll become one! With my kids, if I wanted a behavior that wasn't positive to change..... I would tell my kids they were thus and such (even if they weren't :) and lo and behold...... they'd become that.
I think I need to apply this lesson to Henny Penny and her messy room. I'll start an experiment now and start telling her she is clean and organized. Let's see how long it takes before it starts working. :D
Sort of like Eliza Dolittle, huh?
DeleteExactly!!
DeleteEmoto SELLS bottles of water??? Ugh. Just...ugh. Maybe an arrrrgh too. Some people.
DeleteNow THAT was a science experiment which taught amazing moral lessons. They are ones which Mr. M will take with him through his life.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I have about fifty houseplants and I only talk to them to give them a
"heads up" the day before I'm going to do a major trimming or repotting. I'm no plant whisperer, but I feel these dear companions deserve to know what's about to happen. Okay. Maybe I'm crazy.
You're not crazy at all Ginger! That is sweet. It really is.......
DeleteThat is a great experiment - you really can't argue with those results. I'm so glad to hear that plant A is making a comeback with a little T.L.C.
ReplyDeletewanted to wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving xxxxxxxxx
Thank you Julie! We spent the day with family. It was a very nice day. Home now and it is midnight. Time to tuck in bed for a few hours and let our tummies settle.
DeleteI'm thankful on this day of thanks for friends like you that I have met and who have blessed my life.
Much love to you and your family! xxoo