Stronger Than Ever

“In the midst of winter,
I finally learned that there was in me
an invincible summer.”
— Albert Camus

Frost to Bloom

Upon moving from Connecticut to the Valley of the Sun in 2006, I quickly learned during our first winter that just one night of frosty temperatures could seriously harm trees and plants. After a three-night frost two years ago, the damage was evident all over town. Badly affected were two of my favorite hibiscus plants in container pots. Now after nursing them back to health and patiently waiting, they have produced blooms galore this spring. Delighted by the abundance of their colorful flowers, I appreciate the vivid reminder that resilience is part of our nature, too.

Part of Our Nature

Like the shock of a winter frost in the desert, things happen in life that are jolts to your system. Those times often result in your having to shed a few leaves and go dormant for a while. Then silently, that part of your nature designed for resilience is activated.

Behind what appears only as dormancy to the outside world, you are making the necessary changes. While one of the frost-bitten hibiscus stayed put in its container pot, the other required a new location (from the front of the house to the side) as well as a brand new pot of replenished soil. Bloom where you are planted as much as you can; otherwise, move to where you can bloom!

As I encouraged my hibiscus —and yes, I talk to my plants— it seemed to me that they knew what they were doing. They took all the time they needed and were confident and resolute during that long pre-bloom period (over a year) during which more and more green leaves appeared. Resilience can’t be rushed. Whether it’s bouncing back or more of a creeping, ultimately it doesn’t matter. Those blooms are glorious when they finally arrive.

Respect Your Resilience

This Week’s Call to Action:

• If you are currently in a “bloom time” of accomplishment and self-expression, rejoice in your splendor. Recall what got you here, so that you can repeat that formula in the future.
• If, on the other hand, you find yourself recovering from the shock of a frost, instead of wishing you felt differently or were “in bloom”, give yourself what you need now. Otherwise it will be your needs that grow instead of flowers.

The fact that the hibiscus are blooming more than ever makes me think they actually gained something from having weathered the frost. It’s the same for you. Once you’re through what’s got you dropping a few leaves, on some level you are sure to be stronger than ever.

Respect your resilience and remember this is how you are designed.

“The world breaks everyone and afterward
many are strong at the broken places.”
— Ernest Hemingway