Finding Shelter

This photo is of a Boston Fern after several recent heavy frosts. This fern spent Spring, Summer, and part of Fall potted, setting under a tree in our front yard. It was a large and beautiful healthy specimen. In early Fall, I transplanted it to a spot in my fern hill project, hoping to do so early and deep enough for it to establish roots and survive the coming winter. While it still appeared healthy after the transplant, I won’t know how well I succeeded until next Spring. Viewing the dead foliage massed above the ground, I like to think its final purpose may be to provide some shelter for the roots surviving deep below the surface, reminding me that even setbacks can serve a purpose and foster growth.

Even in the face of adversity, life can endure and thrive. Nature is resilient. Resilience does not imply the absence of struggle; rather, it signifies the ability to survive and regenerate, to rise from the fires like a Phoenix. I sometimes think that to handle adversity properly, one needs to learn from watching white-water kayakers in Olympic events. To achieve each of their gates/goals, they try not to fight the current directly, but instead use it to guide and speed their progress.

In our lives, we can find inspiration from nature and others as we face our challenges. Nature encourages us to seek our own “shelters”—the activities, environments, and relationships that nurture us during tough times. Often, these shelters are internal and include cultivating a resilient mindset. Finding shelter may involve establishing routines, connecting with supportive family or friends, focusing on personal growth, and engaging in activities that bring joy, fulfillment and replenish our bodies and spirits.

Harsh times are a part of life, but how we respond to them defines our journey and weaves our personal character and life narratives.