Washing dishes at the kitchen sink, mind wandering, my gaze falls on a healthy potted hydrangea offering up the last of its fading blooms. But this isn’t a sad sight; it’s amazing. I had long since given up on this plant, as the past few years all it could muster were a few leggy leaves on a few stubby stalks. I don’t have much luck growing hydrangeas in our hot climate, but it’s one of my favorites, so I let this pitiful plant do its thing, expecting nothing but not having the heart to get rid of it.
Then, this year, healthy leaves started to grow. And then came the little beaded clusters that promise a pom-pom of blooms. After a month or two, if offered up a profusion of hot-pink flowers; my little hydrangea plant had awakened. I read that plants go dormant in the winter to protect themselves from harsh conditions and conserve their energy for the promise of better days. According to 2newthings.com, some even go dormant for years at a time, though this is risky. “In going dormant for years at a time, a plant is essentially betting that its local environment will somehow be easier to live in years into the future, even though there’s no real way of knowing that.”
Once again, I find human nature mirrored in the natural world. It’s so easy to close ourselves off, waiting to face the world until things get easier, or conditions are more favorable. Though, if we go dormant for too long, it’s risky. In this state, we don’t grow or thrive. It might be comfortable and quiet, but it also brings stagnation. Like my hydrangea, I’ve found myself too comfortable in my home, surrounded by books and lazy dogs, with no outside stimuli to challenge or push me. I know it’s time to awaken.
This month, I am choosing to awaken so that I can grow and share my bloom with others. I’ve been through some hard times, some lonely times, and some times that just make me want to go dormant…haven’t we all. But I’ve also been equipping myself to grow; I’ve embarked on a wellness journey and can’t afford to stay in one place for too long. It’s time to awaken, and go.
To show you what this looks like: I’ve joined a group at my church (this is huge for me). I am doing instead of dismaying over my health and weight (focusing on nutrition and weight training). I applied for and accepted a leadership position in addition to teaching at my school (leading instead of hiding in my classroom). And, building on my word of the month for August, which was consistency, I am being intentional about doing small things with greatness every day (reading, writing, watching, serving and noticing). Noticing is such a worthy thing to do with greatness; it helps me see the beauty all around me and awaken to a new point of view.
If you find that you’ve been dormant for awhile, I hope you’ll awaken with me. Just follow the example of my hydrangea, and take the risk to grow and bloom. The results are beautiful.
This made me smile so much. That’s real change, real steps forward. The other word it reminded me of was reclaiming. Reclaiming life that had become clouded. ❤️
Yes. I love reclaiming. Of course right after I posted obstacles started popping up, inviting me to retreat again. Isn’t that always how it goes? 💛🌟
It’s my favorite flower of all time, but I’ve yet been able to grow one. You’ve inspired me to try again. 💖
This one showed me you can never give up. 💛🌟
So onboard with you, Collette! That living in a stagnant pond on a lily pad is not living as we know. So excited and proud of you for stretching out and allowing yourself to shine. There’s a few of us from out here who use Volley for daily or weekly checkins to support each other on our endeavors. If you’re interested check out our space: http://fadedjeanslivingcheckins.com
Thanks Dwight! Some accountability and support sounds good! 💛🌟
I will totally awaken with you! I can feel how excited you are to awaken! Looking forward to hearing your progress! I’ll share mine as well! 🙌🏻❤️
And as sure as I posted this, obstacles started popping up, trying to block my path. Isn’t that always the case? Not giving up though. 💛🌟
I’ve had to start going day by day. I have my goal but it seems so far away. I can’t get in for a month for umbilical hernia and it’s painful. I’m restricted with what I can pick up and then it’s 6 weeks of restrictions after. 🙄 Like you said obstacles seem to pop up right when things are going great. I won’t give up either with ya! 😃
Awesome on not giving up! I now have an umbilical hernia that can’t be operated on for a month. Then 6 weeks with limitations. Quite frustrating as I was making such great progress. Taking it day by day! I had to drop my all or nothing thinking and go day by day. If you got this comment twice, sorry! I don’t think the one I sent this morning actually posted. Weird
Lovely word! I sure need to awaken, too!
I have fallen into a lazy living way of life!
xo
Wendy
(Although it’s fall, my word would be hibernation! 😂😂😂)
Oh, the allure of a long, lazy hibernation! 💛🌟
I love that word, and I love the metaphor!
Thank you, Sara! 💛🌟