Sometimes, gals, I just want to slap on a fake moustache, call myself Larry and run away. Just run away from all the responsibilities, all the bills, all the stress. But I can’t.  I’d look lousy in a moustache, and my name isn’t Larry.

So, what to do?

The Soldanelle is a remarkable flower that grows right in the middle of  the snow and ice in the Alpine valley. Imagine, a flower blooming through a crust of ice!  It pushes its way through the spring snow and ice because it prepared for blooming during the past  summer.

 During the summer months the Soldanelle spreads it leaves wide and flat on the ground to soak up the summer sun. That sun energy is then stored in the flowers roots, throughout the winter months.

When spring hits, snow and ice still cover the ground the tiny flower begins growing. The energy stored in its roots makes enough warmth to thaw out a tiny dome in the snow. This air pocket dome grows above the head of the bloom as the plant becomes taller and taller. Finally, when the bloom is safely formed in the ice dome…the dome breaks away and out comes a beautiful flower right in the middle of the snow covered ground. Neat!

Just as the Soldanelle prepares for the rough winter we need to prepare ourselves for challenging times. We can do this by having a good back up list of activities that relax and bring you pleasure such as:a hot bath, a long walk, a night out at the movies, a talk with a friend, a few hours of window shopping, listening to music, playing music,  a great mystery novel, a long drive to no where.

Make a physical list of activities you enjoy and keep it in a handy spot. When you feel stressed check through the list and find something pleasurable to do.

Storing positive activities on a list is a pro-active way to prepare the icy stress that comes with some of life’s challenges.  Taking a hot bath won’t keep my puppy from pooping the carpet but the relaxing soak may re-energize me for another round of puppy training.