In previous posts, I’ve often referred to the twin phenomena called the “Seed of Failure” (SOF) and the “Seed of Success” (SOS). My view is that that those whose lives are branded with the SOF – through no fault of their own – simply cannot succeed over the long term, no matter how hard they try.  SOS kids, on the other hand, grow up to eventually hone in on money and success at some point in their lives when the success “seed” kicks in.

I further theorized that, because of hidden decisions we made as small children, “success” as we define it in this world is not an option for SOF people.  I reasoned that the rare SOS folks have both the drive to succeed AND the proper early modeling to make crucial success decisions.  These people CAN and WILL succeed because their “success thermostats” are set pretty much on autopilot.  They simply love the thrill and taste of success.

Some recent child psychology studies in the Netherlands have provided an element of validation for this idea of success based on early decisions:

“Most of us have genes that make us as hardy as dandelions: able to take root and survive almost anywhere. A few of us, however, are more like the orchid: fragile and fickle, but capable of blooming spectacularly if given greenhouse care.  So holds a provocative new theory of genetics, which asserts that the very genes that give us the most trouble as a species, causing behaviors that are self-destructive and antisocial, also underlie humankind’s phenomenal adaptability and evolutionary success. With a bad environment and poor parenting, orchid children can end up depressed, drug-addicted, or in jail ”but with the right environment and good parenting, they can grow up to be society’s most creative, successful, and happy people . . .”

So states part of the article by David Dobbs in the December, 2009 issue of Atlantic Magazine.  Dobbs is reporting on the studies that began in 2004 by Dr. Marian Bakermans-Kranenburg, a child and family professor at Leiden University.

Over time and using certain behavior-modification techniques, Dr. Bakermans-Kranenburg was able to determine that roughly 15 to 20% of all children are born with a tendency to be more fragile, ficle, and sensitive than other children.  She called these kids with genetic vulnerability “orchids” as opposed to the majority of children who need less nurturing.  She refers to the hardy majority as “dandelions” since they appeared to be the “normal, healthy children” who exhibit less “biological sensitivity.”

Apparently, the Orchid Children – depending on their parental influences – can develop into either the inventive geniuses and creative, prolific artists  of our society . . . or those who sink into ADHD, bi-polar behavior, addiction, aggressive anti-social behavior and crime.

In my book The Logical Soul(tm) I talk about “The Great Ones” and those rare other who will not succeed simply because their hidden decisions.  The “Orchid Hypothesis” is in operation in both of these, but the triggers are different.

With the “SOF orchid types” the hidden decisions are so deep there is a hidden loop of subconscious reasoning that prevents them from contacting – and changing – the very decisions that have them stuck in this loop.  On the other hand the SOS orchid types, while they may experience hardships, trials and tribulations, can burst forth to their full potential because the hidden decisions they made are modeled after strong, nurturing parents or guardians.

The LS technique is for anyone who feels stuck and wants to move forward;  but can also be very powerful to those “Orchids” who have an opening to get access to those deepest hidden decisions.  THESE people are the ones who can explode upon awakening . . . folks like my friend Ken Jensen, a former Bi-Polar Marine who found his way out.

For all of us, however, the sky’s the limit.  Literally.