Viriditas

Viriditas is a Latin word that means 'greenness'. The English equivalent is viridity.

Rapidly growing plants

Down the ages the Latin word has been used in a religious context to mean spiritual and physical health, but Kim Stanley Robinson used it in a different way in his Mars trilogy. By viriditas he meant the ability of living things to prosper and grow in rich abundance.

The plants in this pot have grown vigorously and are flowering abundantly so they are displaying considerable viriditas. Compare this post with the earlier one I posted on 9th June.

The idea of viriditas can be used to describe anything that is full of life. Flowers in the garden, trees and forests, fish in the sea, children, good ideas, successful companies, and successful churches.

So what are the underlying causes of viriditas?  Understanding that is the key to success. One important cause is organic growth, growth that feeds on its own success.

The more a child learns the more potential he or she has for further learning. Just think of the opportunities for learning that open up when a child learns to read.

The more a plant spreads this year, the more seeds there will be next year. How do you think this principle applies to a company or a church?

(If you liked this you might also like Journeys of heart and mind and Quote me on this.)