15 Comments
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Nance Scott's avatar

I hadn't heard the specifics of 'physiological drought', in plants, but Wow! It's an amazingly accurate metaphor for us humans moving through stress and not taking time to 'drink refreshing water' that's readily available to us.

Thank you for sharing 💞

It truly shows the importance of taking care of yourself.

And how it's a culmination of small, life-giving things, built into our days, that make a difference when the stress arrives.

This analogy is going to stick with me🌱🌿

Dr. Wendy Pabich's avatar

Thank you, Nance! As I dug more deeply into the idea, I too was surprised by how well the mechanisms mapped to our own responses.

I do believe that the small, life-giving things are fundamentally important to our wellbeing. Yet, while they are generally objectively simple, it can be incredibly hard to allow for them.

I’m so happy to hear you’ll take this message with you! 😄

Julia Rymut's avatar

I thought the same thing, Nance. It's such an apt metaphor.

rena's avatar

Years ago in a high stress job, under constant deadline, driving 150 miles per day, I lost it after being stuck at a red light. A torrent of profanity spilled. A woman waiting at the corner spoke through my open window, "Calm down." It was the beginning of accepting available water. I wish I could thank her. Instead I thank you 💙

Dr. Wendy Pabich's avatar

Awww, Rena! Thank you for sharing your story. I’m so glad to know you’ve been able to allow yourself the nourishment you deserve. It shows in your poetry! 🩷

Julia Rymut's avatar

I'm so amazed that you could open to her advice! When I've been in those moods, someone telling me to calm down would have probably amped me up. When I'm feeling a drought, I resent people who appear to have enough reserves that they don't act like they feel the drought too. I'm not proud of this reaction--it's not very kind. But in my moments when I feel scarcity, it's almost intolerable to be near abundance. It feels unfair to me.

Luckily, I haven't felt this way in a long time (but that doesn't mean I couldn't feel it again). I'll have to keep your example in mind if I bump into my insane side again.

rena's avatar

Thank you, Julia. She said those words in a quiet, compassionate manner. I nodded and began to cry. I had surrendered. 🤍

Julia Rymut's avatar

As I read that, I’m tearing up. She really was a gem.

rena's avatar

One of the many angels I've encountered 🤍

Rick Phipps's avatar

Another thoughtful piece, juxtaposing human and plant environments and also our coping strategies, or lack thereof. It was helpful to me so thanks.

Dr. Wendy Pabich's avatar

I’m happy to hear this resonated, Rick. In this modern society of ours, it’s a daily practice and a lifelong journey to allow ourselves the nourishment we all need and deserve.

Anne Buchanan James's avatar

Related and understood. Especially love the following: And the most skillful response I know—simply holding space without trying to rescue or fix—ultimately becomes exhausting. It’s as if watching someone stand beside a clear stream while dying of thirst.

Thriving is not simply about abundance—it’s a matter of relationship. Water can be present in soil, but if plants are too cold, they can’t access it. If we’re too overloaded, we may not have the capacity to act on life-affirming opportunities when they arise.

Dr. Wendy Pabich's avatar

Anne, I’m so glad this resonated with you! Thank you for being here. 💫

Con Basta's avatar

Excellent. Thank you

Dr. Wendy Pabich's avatar

Thank you, Connie!