Well, hello there. My name is Morgan Harper-Nichols. I'm an artist and a writer, and this is a space where I share words that I hope can make a little room for you to slow down and take a few deep breaths as you prepare for whatever lies ahead. Thanks for being here today. And now on to today's episode. When we think of the desert, the first

things that come to mind are likely the heat and the dry, arid climate. While these elements are a huge

part of desert life, that doesn't mean that the landscape is vast,

empty, and void of living things. Even deserts still manage to maintain a diverse ecosystem of

life that was made to thrive amidst the dryness. Recently, I took a trip to the desert botanical garden here in Phoenix, Arizona,

where I live, and I learned a lot during my short visit there. This newfound knowledge about desert

life actually inspired me to do a whole series this week on learning to thrive in the desert.

When we look at the plants and animals that make a home in the desert,

there are so many different lessons we can learn that can relate to our lives.

It is no secret that the heats in the desert can reach extreme temperatures.

The air is dry and because there is so little rainfall, there are few, if any, trees for shade. So how is it that these native plants survive?

As it turns out, many of them have adapted to water, and most only need a few inches of

rainfall per year. It is also no secret that water is one of life's necessities. Our bodies are

made of 60% of water, and like all living things, we simply can't survive without it. No matter where we are

in the world, eventually we will need to access water in order to sustain ourselves. This is

especially true in a place as dry as a desert. But what about these plants who survive on such

little water all year long?

Perhaps they are showing us that it's possible to thrive without constantly wanting for more.

These plants have adapted in order to thrive even in the harshest conditions.

They have managed to make a home for themselves, even though

they could receive more nutrients somewhere else. When I was learning about these plants,

I couldn't help but notice a parallel here. How often do we think we need more than we actually do? And how might we adapt to a life where we learn

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