Just Hang On!
This afternoon, while driving to The Center for Arts and Sciences, I noticed a little green lizard on the hood of my car. That poor fellow was hanging on for dear life! He started out brown but ended up green by the end of the journey.
A green anole, also called the red-throated lizard, is a common lizard here in Texas. They change color from brown to green, depending on temperature, communication, or mood. Some of you may remember the mood rings we used to wear in the 70’s; think of the anole as the original mood ring. When it is frightened, stressed, or cold, it will turn brown. When it is happy and comfortable, it will be green.
Sometimes, just for fun, I like to look up the symbolism of animals. The symbolism of an anole is resilience, adaptability, tenacity, and the ability to thrive in the face of adversity. I love those words: resilient, adaptable, tenacious, and thriving in the face of adversity. I want to have all of those traits.
This little lizard reminded me today that sometimes we are taken out of our comfort zone and thrust into a new journey with bumps and unexpected turns. But if we are tenacious and hang on with all our might, the destination could be a wonderful surprise, a new world opened to us, an unexpected journey with a blessing, new challenge, and new opportunity. So, don’t let go. Don’t doubt yourself. Hold on until you reach your new destination.
Yes, the anole did make it safely to The Center for Arts and Sciences. It was an unexpected journey for him, a new destination. You may not know where you are headed at the moment, but hold on. You know where you came from and what you learned there. The new environment will put to the test what you have learned and will give you a chance to grow and change. So, thank you to the little anole who reminded me of this. I hope you liked your new destination as you hopped off the hood of my car and arrived at The Center for Arts and Sciences. I hope you enjoy your new home. There will be interesting new shrubs, people to watch, and a chance to change and grow. Good luck to you!
