What We Can Learn from a Dandelion

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What is a weed?  Something that grows where we don't want it.  In a garden of roses, for example, a sunflower is a weed.


My childhood lawn at was dotted with dandelions, much to my mother's chagrin.  (I don't think Daddy cared for them either.)  But I loved them.  There's something amiable about their sunshine-colored, many-rayed faces.  And who hasn't wished on the tufted head of a mature dandelion, believing the wish would be granted if all the seeds could be sent sailing with one puff of breath?


And let's not forget their hidden virtues:

  • The dandelion is self-propagating, not relying on pollinators to spread.  Before the invention of lawns, gardeners loved how easy it was to cultivate this useful plant.
  • Every part of the plant is edible.  The leaves are even more nutritious than spinach and kale, rich in iron and vitamins A, C, and K.  The flowers are slightly sweet, and can be distilled into wine or jelly, and make delicious fritters.  The roots can be ground and used as a coffee substitute.*
  • The dandelion has long been used for medicinal purposes, and research shows that it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, supports digestion, helps remove toxins from the liver, and more.


Dandelions are masters of survival.  They can take root almost anywhere – in roadsides, construction sites, and even in tiny cracks in a sidewalk.  They live long, go from bud to seed within days, and develop deep roots.  That's why they're surprisingly good for your lawn, since their roots loosen and aerate the soil, reduce erosion, and pull nutrients to the surface – actually fertilizing the grass.


*  Thank you for supporting this site.  When you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission.


dandelions - photo by Maxim Tolchinskiy on Unsplash



Appreciating the everyday


Dandelions have a self-reliance and generosity we can admire.  They don't need us to take care of them – they can do that for themselves.  They're lavish with their gifts of food, medicine, and beauty.  They even support our daydreams.


Maybe we've been too close-minded about things that appear mundane but are actually miraculous.  Do we stop and pay attention to sunbeams shining through dark clouds?  Italians call them raggi di Dio, "God rays."  Do we take time to gaze at the moon and stars on a clear night?  It's amazing that the light from those stars has taken years, decades, or millennia to reach us.


We're often so focused on chasing the latest and greatest, choosing luxury and excitement, that we forget to appreciate the simpler aspects of life.  One of the most wonderful things about looking for beauty and value in the ordinary is that it's available almost all of the time.  Unlike an exclusive event or a high-end purchase, this commonplace wonder is just waiting to be noticed.  You might find it in the sound of rain tapping on your window, in a soothing cup of tea, or in your favorite pair of jeans.







Gratitude to the rescue


The marvels of everyday life are often obscured by their ordinariness.  As author Jennifer Shoop describes them, they are "dandelions rather than delphiniums, weeds rather than wonder."  She adds, "It is the work of a grateful heart to rename these things."


By expressing gratitude for the small daily blessings in our lives, we start changing the way we see the world around us.  By intentionally looking for things to be grateful for, we gradually see more and more that makes us joyful and contented.


In a society that consistently glorifies the extraordinary, it's important to find happiness in the ordinary.  Those simple, workaday things and experiences are far more common, and they're what real life is made of.  The majority of life moments aren't the gold medal events or the highlight reels posted on social media, and if that's what you crave, you're going to be bored and disappointed almost every day.


What a sad waste.


When I'm caught up in the rush and pressure of our modern world, I remind myself to slow down and look for the small, simple beauties:  The fresh fruit filling the bowl on the counter.  The clean sheets on my bed.  The ubiquitous scrub jays – assertive, inquisitive, and bright blue.  Messy kisses from my 4-year-old grandson.  My husband's voice.  And yes – dandelions.


Let's remember that what seems unassuming can be the main attraction.




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