“The bloom may be brief, but the memory of its beauty will last a lifetime.” – Doe Zantamata

What is a superbloom?

Superblooms happen right here in the Owens Valley. The Death Valley has superblooms that have been reported on very often. A Death Valley Superbloom requires years of dry, seemingly barren land. Land that for years gives no evidence that any life is possible. Then, once about every 10 years, the weather shifts and rainfall goes a little longer into spring. Long enough that the spring wind is mild enough to not dry out sprouts. This weather shift causes a superbloom where long dormant wildflower seeds that have dried in the dirt under the dessert sun for years are able to germinate, grow, and cover the desert floor with bright wildflowers.

I believe I was born at the perfect time, where I came into my own at as hip hop culture and music was getting off the ground. By the time I was 12, groups like Eric B and Rakim, Run DMC, EPMD, and more were exposing the world to this new sound, and I could not get enough of it. As a young rap fan, I was blown away by two rappers, Christopher Wallace, also known as Notorious B.I.G or Biggie, and Tupac Shakur. I have a long line of favorite artists and hits, but for this article, I’m only going to focus on two rappers, one song each.

Biggie recorded One More Chance in 1993. In it, he wrote

Heart throb, never… (I’m) ugly as ever

However, I stay Coogi down to the socks

Rings and watch filled with rocks…

And my jam knocks.

What Biggie is saying is that he does not focus on what he isn’t. A good-looking man. He focuses on what he is. Now, for the uninitiated, allow me to translate. Coogi is a New York fashion brand that Biggie was known to wear, down to his socks. Meaning he has entire outfits in one brand. Rings and Watch filled with rocks (jewels). And his jam knocks, he makes great music. At the same time, he could get down on himself about what he isn’t (good looking), he chooses to focus on what he is, a well-dressed, bejeweled, hit maker.

There are times when we all feel like we aren’t enough. In many cases, this feeling of insecurity comes from a childhood experience that continues into adulthood, parenthood, your professional and your personal life. Biggie’s admonition would encourage you to remember that for all you aren’t, there are things about you that are remarkable. Focus on that. Or, in short, your jam knocks.

2 Pac left the earth way too soon (in my opinion) in September 1996. In August 1996, he spit what some believe were his last recorded bars. The song, Smile was released in February 1997. In it, he wrote.

Here’s a message to the newborns waitin’ to breathe

If you believe, then you can achieve, just look at me!

Against all odds, though life is hard we carry on

Livin’ in the projects, broke with no lights on

To all the seeds that follow me, protect your essence

Born with less, but you still precious

Just smile for me now!

In his lyrics, 2 Pac is saying to those within the sound of his voice that being born in or finding yourself in tough circumstances is not the end. You are a person of worth, and if you believe and work hard, you can still shine. We all face difficult situations; you are not alone. Think about every challenge you have faced in your life; you are undefeated. You got through them all. In short, take some time to smile even when things are tough. You are still precious.

My grandfather was a preacher who would include in his sermons to let go and let God. He was saying that we are not in control, that even when you are struggling, things will be alright. Those seeds roasting in the desert sun for years, freezing in the winter, and, if they are lucky enough to germinate, will face a cold desert wind in the spring. By all common sense and gardening practices, they have no chance. But when the conditions are right, they come alive and beautify an entire area where life and beauty are difficult to achieve. Those seeds get a second chance, and we smile.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to the light I have.” We all have a light, a purpose. The thing you were put on this earth to do. It will usually have something to do with being a blessing to other people. We all have a light, so let it shine bright enough for the world to see. Our children struggle with the same challenges and feelings that we did and we do. They need someone to let them know that they are enough and in tough times, they will be okay. Like those wildflowers, their opportunity to shine is on the way.

To the people reading this, and hopefully, the people you share this with, remember, your jam knocks. Don’t put a lot of value in what you see on social media. Those people having a great time, looking good in their best outfits, sharing their best lives through selfies, they have problems too. Just like them, you are meant to shine. Your life isn’t less than because it’s not on social media or because you are going through something, or you have doubts. You are enough. Smile, your jam knocks!

And by the way, that Desert Superbloom, the one that covers the desert floor once a decade. Those brilliant wildflowers that cover the desert floor. The ones that line the street that I drive down every day.. They are purple and gold, and they make me proud to be in Lone Pine… Go Golden Eagles!

By William Brown