Hollyhock

Alan overhauled our front flowerbeds this year, ripping out half-dead shrubbery and planting ornamental grains and flowers. It looks beautiful, truly transformed. A once weedy, overgrown stretch of land is now bursting with hollyhocks.

But the most stunning hollyhock is growing between a crack in the steps on our front porch. 

This one towers over the others. It towers over me, striking a height of at least 6 ft. tall, depending on which step you’re starting from. It’s flush and wide and filled with blossoms, the blossoms filled with bumblebees, and bees filled with pollen.

Did I think the nether regions of our porch would provide the ideal conditions for such a massive plant? No, I did not. But I do know this: 

You do not need the perfect conditions.

Success does not come from the perfect space, piece of equipment, opportunity, connections, lucky break. It comes from showing up. Again. And again. And again.

Those other things? I won’t lie – they sometimes help. But you don’t need them. Not for creating beauty, not for starting a business, not for making your mark, not for doing good, not for growing a hollyhock.

You just need to start.