The resilient cactus fable showcases how determination and grit are the keys to survival.
Debbie Summer, the youngest cactus in the Summer family, wondered if she would be able to make it through the harsh summer and the drought. See how she does it and thrives!
The Summer family were a distinguished family of cacti. Although all plants in the area were known to be able to withstand the terrible Saharan droughts, the Summer family believed they had unique character and skills.
“What makes us different from all the other cacti, mom?” asked Debbie.
“Well, my dear,” started her mom, “the Summer family has thrived in these harsh conditions for generations, and we have been known to be resilient.” She continued, “Even when the other cacti wilt and wither in droughts, for generations we have managed to pull through.”
It was slowly becoming evident for Debbie as to why their family was exceptional. During the rainy season, her parents used a unique technique for storing water.
As the rain came pouring down, Debbie’s mom and dad forced their pores open and collected as much water as possible. Debbie knew they were on to something, so she decided to follow suit.
When the drought hit, the Summer family started dipping into the water stores like everyone else. But when it got scorching, and it was challenging to stay hydrated, Debbie’s parents reached deep down into the reserves to keep themselves alive.
Again, Debbie copied what her parents did and realized that she was now more hydrated than the other cacti around. “Wow, we are resilient cacti!” exclaimed Debbie. “I thought we would dry up and wither, but you guys showed me how to reach for my reserves and fuel myself from within.”
“Yes, honey,” said her dad. “Even when the situation you’re in seems impossible to beat, always trust, and believe in your ability to persevere.”
From that point on, Debbie showed resilience in everything she set her mind to achieve.
Moral of the story: When you have resilience, you have the strength to overcome the toughest of situations.
The Resilient Cactus Self-Reflection
With each changing season, the Summer family never knew what to expect. In many cases, the new year’s dry season was worse than the one before. They knew that to stay hydrated, they would have to show resilience.
Their example of finding the strength to dig deep when the situation got challenging encouraged Debbie to do the same.
Sometimes, the circumstance that you’re faced with seems impossible. You look at your situation in fear and give up before you even try to beat it. But the truth is you always have enough fight in you to win even the fiercest battles.
Self-belief is the answer to questions about your ability to pull yourself up and out of a challenging situation.
Although you feel like you’re using your last ounce of strength, there’s always a little more to rely on.
Being confident means knowing that you have the answers even when they’re not readily apparent to you.
It means knowing that even the longest journey from the starting point to the destination consists of a series of steps. Putting one foot before the other makes any goal feel within reach.
Self-Reflection Questions:
- Which personal situations require my resilience?
- How do I know when to reach for the support of my friends and family?
- How do I get the strength to get past an emotionally exhausting experience?