Sometimes we can feel like we are just surviving, not thriving. Like we live in an inhospitable environment that almost seems to delight in thwarting our efforts to thrive. Let me share a quick story about the tenacity of wildflowers and what we can learn from them.
The Rocky Mountains are called the backbone of the country. They arch their peaks over 14,000 feet into the air. Trail Ridge Road traverses this exquisite landscape. It is the highest paved road in the United States, with more than eight miles lying above 11,000′ and a maximum elevation of 12,183′. At its highest, the air is thin and fresh and the scenery is literally jaw-dropping. This magical place defies superlatives.
The road is open from June to September. Last winter this area received 23 feet of snow, with drifts up to 30 feet. It took 6 weeks of plowing the snow before the road could open. But even in summer this road can be an adventure. I have driven it in mid-June and in the span of five minutes the weather changed from intense thunder and lightning, to hail, and then snow! The alpine tundra, above tree line, and where this road takes you, is a wild and wonderful place.
In the midst of this “wild”ness are wildflowers. Startling and breathtaking in their ability to survive in such harsh conditions, they are a perfect example of tenacity. Buried under snow for most of the year, they rush toward life in the 4-6 weeks they have every summer to fulfill their purpose. Every single bloom is a miracle.
Perhaps we can learn something from the tenacity of these alpine wildflowers. A lot of us go through life simply trying to survive. Many of us are buried under with work and perhaps the heavy responsibility of supporting ourselves and others, or trying to make a difference in a world that can be indifferent. Yet, like the wildflowers, we must claim the tenacity that we each possess. We must rush toward life, and move beyond surviving to thriving.
