Sometimes We Need a ‘Jump Start’

A few months ago, I wrote a blog post about my new carnivorous plant: Fang, the Venus Flytrap. You can read the original piece about him here, at “Don’t Isolate Yourself.”

I was able to get Fang through the poor weather in May and early June, and with the warmer weather I was at last able to move him outside next to my other carnivorous plants. He did well for awhile, but then I realized that each week I was having to cut away too many dead leaves and blackened traps. For an unknown reason, Fang was not happy. I had not moved him from the original pot and planting material he came in; I theorized that perhaps he needed to be completely repotted. Could a change of soil and environment give Fang a jump start toward health? I decided it was worth a try.

Today I gathered together what I knew are ideal items for a Venus Flytrap to grow in. I mixed them all together with water, making a consistency rather like clumpy, watery cake batter. After I placed Fang in his new pot and soil, I soaked spagnum moss in water and placed it around the top so it would hold in moisture no matter the weather or temperature. Having done all this, I returned Fang to his place on my balcony. Now I can only wait and see if I have done enough to help improve Fang’s life.

Just like Fang, sometimes we also need a jump start toward health. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, doing the same things over and over but not getting any real benefits. Have you been using the same medication regimen, been taking the same treatments, doing the same exercises, trying the same therapies, sticking with the same routine - but not feeling any better or perhaps even feeling worse? Maybe it’s time for a little jump start toward health.

Fang, the Venus Flytrap, sits in his new pot.
Behind him are my other carnivorous plants, including Sundews,
Pitcher Plants, and a Butterwort (with the purple flower)

Talk to your doctor and see if there’s something new you should try. Maybe you need only make some small changes like altering a medication you already take or adding more hours of sleep into your schedule. It could be that just a small modification will yield a positive result in your overall health and mood.

Or possibly, like Fang, you might want to get both feet wet and make a total change. It might be time for a complete medication overall if your pills don’t seem to be achieving the level of relief they should be providing you. If there’s some special therapy or treatment you’ve always wanted to try (I’ve always wanted to try Watsu and never have) it could be this is the time to try it. See if you can pull together your entire treatment team: doctor, physical therapist, psychologist, nutritionist, pain specialist, etc. and ask them their thoughts on how to help you. It’s even better if you can get them all in the same room or on a conference call and discuss your issues at the same time. Lots of new ideas and theories can come up during such a session. 

If you find yourself slogging along in the same routine but you feel you’re struggling to get by, think of Fang. Whether it’s a big one or a small one, it may be time for a jump start!