Another concept from Michelle Obama that has stuck with me is the Native American method of growing food called the “three sisters” — a crop of beans, corn, and squash on the same plot of land. The tall corn serves as a base for the beans to climb; the beans supply the nitrogen to the soil and the leaves of the low-lying squash keep the soil most. The three plans complement each other, help all three to grow, and harvest at different times so they are able to provide vegetables over an extended period.
It’s a great metaphor for embracing differences in the garden of life. It may be tempting to have everyone be just like you, but any one of those plants is weaker without the contributions the others provide. The three sisters’ concept also reinforces the need for balance and the mixing and matching of multiple elements to address different needs.
Perhaps I latched on to this concept because I am one of three sisters myself and we have often joked about combining our very different gifts and styles to work together. Maybe we are the human version of beans, squash, and corn with traits that support each other and enhance the overall harvest.
Think about what your “garden” looks like. Are you robbing the “soil” of valuable contributions that others can make? Could you grow stronger by infusing different “plants” and their varied assets into the mix? Do you have a manageable schedule of “harvest times”? Looking at your life through the three sisters concept can help you cultivate a balanced set of inputs and help your outputs flourish.
Source: The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama, 2022
