Lessons from the Cholla ~ A Piercing Beauty
The Cholla cactus is in full bloom right now in the town where I was raised. Bright fuchsia blossoms unfold atop the prickly branches of these impressive and intimidating plants. There are many lessons we can take from our observations of nature, and the blooming Cholla is no exception.
The Cholla boasts a fierce, yet rugged beauty. Most months of the year, she blends seamlessly into the landscape, camouflaged by the muted green and brown tones of the desert. Her arms branch out in all different directions like Medusa’s hair, each one covered with sharp thorns of protection. She seems unapproachable and untouchable. Until suddenly, in the early summer, she is transformed when a splash of brilliant color appears at the end of each limb. Though her flesh is still sprinkled with the spiny thorns, she now flaunts beautifully vivid colors as the flora begins to grow. Beyond the prickly branches, she appears more vulnerable, yet vibrant and inviting.
As we try to navigate this crazy world, at times we resort to adopting a tough and sharp exterior as a way of protecting ourselves from threat, from pain, or from our true feelings. But like the Cholla in the summertime, it is possible to be both. Both sharp and gentle, both strong and vulnerable, both resistant to threat and inviting to approach. In fact, when we trust that we have what we need to be able to keep ourselves safe, it becomes less threatening to reveal the softer and more susceptible aspects of ourselves.
A succulent plant, the Cholla possesses another impressive quality in its ability to store water and nutrients inside her own durable branches. Like a camel, by holding her own nourishment within her, she can sustain many harsh environments that would otherwise make life quite difficult, if not impossible. Typically a desert plant, succulents are the most resilient of all, able to survive and even thrive in conditions of extreme heat, draught, cold, wind, etc.
An example to us as we move through the often treacherous terrain of our daily lives, the Cholla teaches us to preserve our resources and store within ourselves the ability to provide the nourishment we need when we need it. On a fundamental level, this means maintaining a decent diet, adequate sleep, daily movement, etc. But it also implies being able to endure discomfort at times, to access our inner strength when needed, and to identify sources of support, comfort, and relief for enhanced survival.
The Cholla elegantly demonstrates resiliency, fortitude, capacity, and self-preservation. Yet, it also reminds us that multifaceted strength and true beauty lies in the vulnerable nature of our blossoms. Our challenge is to find that balance between protection and susceptibility, between strength and tenderness, and to allow the softening, yet vibrant beauty within us to emerge.