Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Shivering Rhododendron

Zero degrees this morning, rising to a high of 12 today. The rhododendron leaves are shivering. Each dark green leaf huddled into itself for protection against winter's cold.

Rhododendron leaves droop to vertical and curl into into cylinders, a sort of leaf icicle, as the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The shrub is stressed, but it has developed this tolerance in order to survive the winter.

How do we handle our stress? Do we curl into little balls? Droop around the mouth and eyes? Go ahead and feel the droop in the body. Feel the curling up.

When the temperature warms, the rhododendron leaves will spread their leaves to horizontal and bloom. And so will we.


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