In December, I discovered the flower called the hydrangea. Oh, my. Oh, my my. Just look at those unique petals, and the tiny button center and the profuse spray of flowers. And the colors. This dazzling “pom pom” has me intoxicated and enraptured for weeks.
If ever there was a flower to represent “abundance,” surely the hydrangea would be at the top of the list. Feast your eyes on all those tiny, perfect petals.
The word hydrangea derives from the Greek language meaning “water vessel.” It is a native species in a shrub form in Asia and the Americas, blooming in spring and summer. At the end of this post, I’ll share more about the “water vessel” and water.
A moment about the care of hydrangeas: So when I fall in love like this, I want to know how to care for and nurture my new beloved plant companion. Here are some tips I gleaned for your hydrangeas:
These hydrangeas crave water. Big time. So some of these tips may surprise you.
Boil water and dip the pre-cut stalk in that water for 30 seconds.
Next, instead of the angled stalk trimming, smash the base to open the almost bark like firmness. (This is because “sap” can form and block the ability to drink in water provided. Place in water in vase.
Change the water in the vase every other day.
When the flowers look less perky, fill a sink, basin or tub with warm water and immerse the entire flower and stalk. About 45 minutes. Then place them back in the vase. In about 2 hours, you’ll see how the flowers are lush and perky again.
Flow
So as I am gazing at these beauties, I cannot help but notice the synchronicity of the “water vessel” flower showing up. When living your life, things simply show up to guide you. And so, I found myself musing about the qualities of water, each day as I loving admired and cared for my perky new friend.
Oh the qualities of the water. Cool, refreshing, fluid, flowing, everywhere and in everything, all-encompassing and transforming everything it touches while transmuting itself (water, vapor, rain/snow.) That’s quite a package!
Water adapts. To go through rock aquifer. To caress the river stone in its travels. To embody the form of whatever container presents itself.
Water is timeless. In the process of flowing and adapting, water naturally changes everything. The scenery alters as water streams by. As water meets an unmovable, like rock, it goes around, over, under.
Water trickles and drips. It drips and trickles and wears everything in i’s path over time. There’s the transformation.
Water and time are fast friends. True allies. Enjoying the dance. Together, they gently alter everything they come into contact with … by merely doing what they do and being what their essence is. Going with the flow, what comes naturally.
Water gives life. And water itself is reborn, again and again. Water feeds streams. Water feeds thirsty tree roots. Water feeds humans, animals, crops, grasslands.
Water is a willing “form improviser,” transmuting from water, to vapor, to rain/snow and then water again. The cycle of life.
There is a saying offered by many abundant, creative, livers and lovers of life:
Being the Water, the Water Vessel
There is a saying offered by many abundant, creative, livers and lovers of life:
“Be like Water.”
As we open to the possibilities of 2021, it feels right to consider being more like water.
Cool
Refreshing
Adaptive
Doing what comes naturally
Making friends with time and the scenery
Enjoying the journey
And
Flowing
That seems like living a really good life to me. How does that land for you?
Here’s to Your Good Life
From My Happy Heart,
SusanJoy
