“The urge to thrive is in all of us."
- The Twelve Gifts from the Garden 

After injury and illness, life's yearning for fullness kicks in with the drive to survive, heal, and thrive. 

When health is compromised, we may think of it as lost well-being that can't be regained. That belief can slow down, even limit, our progress. 
 

Seeing restorations in nature can support ours by stirring our strength, nurturing our hope, and feeding our faith. 

I experienced this in a garden on Sanibel Island, where I was renewed and enriched, uplifted and inspired during fleeting passages of time spanning over forty years. 

A particular time comes to mind as I write this during a thunderstorm. 

It was shortly after Sanibel was hit by a hurricane that required its foliage to have a great deal of surgical treatment. At the same time I was hit with a bacterial infection that required further surgery after a bi-lateral mastectomy.

When I returned to Sanibel and saw the garden, I grieved our losses. But as I walked the pathways, I felt comforted and encouraged by the brightness of green.  New growth was everywhere, pushing up through the soil and emerging from the tips of bushes and tree branches that had been cut. At every turn I sensed eagerness to grow, the will to live, and to thrive. 

It rose in me too. I cannot grow new breasts, but I can thrive.

I wish you rising strength, courage, hope, and faith for every kind of challenge you may face. At this time, anytime, every time, always. May you thrive.

With love,
Charlene

PS - You can find this story and many other "life lessons for peace and well-being" in The Twelve Gifts from The Garden 
 

THE FIRST GIFT IS STRENGTH.   
May you remember to call upon it 
whenever you need it.   

from The Twelve Gifts of Birth