Are You an African Violet?

The African violet is amazingly resilient – can survive with little water. The perfect plant for those of us that may not be gifted in plant-care – or so I thought.

My husband Rick’s Dad (Big Jim) grew them profusely in abundant bloom under ultra-violet light. We had one in his memory.

This was my one and only living plant.

Collar of shame:  I did not care for my violet like Jim did, looking at that plant for months thinking, yeah, need to get new soil and re-pot it.  When we would leave for the coast, I would put it in water and it would survive. But this last trip, it didn’t bounce back as per usual.

I finally googled: Can you reverse rot in an African violet? Not great news.
Never should have been letting it sit in water for all that time.This may be self-evident to some but hey…

I finally took action and transplanted with the right soil and a new clean pot.  Tenderly handling the delicate root system. Watered it with Willard water, a super restorative, mineral-infused, biologically active water. I thought I saw tiny leaves that are still alive. (You can so do this, little violet!)

I was so hopeful that I got to my violet in time but alas- it was not to be.

Are any of you feeling a bit like this violet – that it’s a bit too late?

Don’t ignore the signs. If you’re so exhausted, it’s really hard to move. If you’re suffering with loss and grief, your leaves can start falling off. If your root system goes, you feel unbalanced and disconnected. Pretty soon it feels hopeless.

I want to give you some good news – that our bodies are even more astounding than this African violet. So fearfully and wonderfully made by our Creator and given the proper tools, have properties to heal.

I want to encourage you not to ignore what your body is telling you. Our body, mind and spirits are so intimately connected that one cannot but influence the other.

It often doesn’t take a lot more than small steps of getting moving in ways that you enjoy whether through movement or creativity. I tell all my clients: much wants more. Believe me, when you start to feel the benefits, you will want more –
– endorphins flowing and circulation going
– joints opening and muscles moving.

Steward the gifts you’ve been given in all 3 dimensions – they are unique:
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

No matter where you’re at, pretty hard to rot when we’re praising God and giving thanks:
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

You are Be-You-tiful in His sight