Yesterday a friend of mine posted some information on her Facebook page that reminded me how useful is the common plantain; root, leaf and seed. If you don’t know plantain by name, that's likely because you lumped it under the general heading of "weed" and gave it no more thought. A quick look at the picture on the right should help you immediately identify it in your yard.
Plantain is usually classified as a weed and is roundly cursed by gardeners and lawn aficionados everywhere. But, there was a time when Plantago Major was deliberately encouraged in gardens. No self-respecting, or practical, family would be without it. It was used to prevent and cure bacterial infection, treat toothache, reduce swelling and as an important ingredient in homemade antiseptic cleanser. Today, when not cursed and battled, it is mostly ignored.
Over the years many useful and important things that I was taught as a child, and some things I learned on my own, have found themselves being ignored and unappreciated. When I am reminded of these things by example or comment I blush and vow to be more mindful in the future.
Today, too many valuable truths are being largely ignored by too many. Like the difference between wants and needs, what honor really means and how real heroes act without being asked and without expecting reward.
Those of us who remember valuable lessons we learned in childhood, (good manners, honesty, sharing, being a real friend and belief in a power greater than ourselves) need to stop ignoring those truths. We need to put them back into practice and show others how useful they truly are.
If you can think of just one thing you have come to ignore that you know to be valuable, that you know you should do, or do more often, and add it back into your daily life, everyone will profit… especially you and especially me .
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
The rules of life haven’t changed. People today just think they are too modern for things their parents believed. They are cheating themselves about so much.
Amen to all you said!