Most folks know that the physical act of gardening — raking, mowing, shoveling and weeding — is good for fitness in general. But have you ever thought of a garden in terms of your inner harmony and wellness?
Lately, I’ve been spending lots of time in my garden, after a pretty long hiatus, where I was feeling overwhelmed by the chores, disorder and weeds out there.
The garden, once my sweet retreat, had become a mirror for where my head and heart were headed. What to do? The thought of moving and leaving it all behind occurred to me. But then I decided to stay, dig in and get dirty, letting the garden reveal its wisdom to me.
Each time I made a little progress, a sense of the garden’s grace returned. I felt more purposeful and inspired, whenever I even thought about it, or went outside.
The garden and my life didn’t get overgrown and wild overnight. So I took a deep breath and divided the landscape into zones — smaller, more manageable units rather than fretting about the whole thing at once. Dealing with one problem area at a time allowed me to resolve and let go, before moving on.
All of a sudden things felt more manageable. I started to ask for help. My friends and family helped me pick and prune and water. They seemed to love the garden. The load got lighter and as I adjusted my perspective in reflection of theirs, my spirits lifted.
Ideals and expectations lose their grip in the garden. The universe has its way. So why not celebrate the singular hot pink poppy amongst a sea of white blooms? Make friends with the soft moss blanketing the edges of your otherwise awesome lawn. Doesn’t it feel velvety when barefoot? Accepting that we can’t be in control of every detail in our lives or our landscape isn’t easy. But it takes the pressure off of having a perfect garden, a perfect lawn, or a perfect life.
Remember, as a gardener, you get to decide what feeds your body, mind and soul. If a plant is not performing or serving you, it’s OK to let it go. Sometimes we have to yank out noxious habits, jobs and acquaintances too. Conversely, if you prefer oddballs, wildflowers or dandelions, celebrate them.
We can all sow seeds of positivity and gratitude for the abundance of life. Think of a seed packet as an envelope of optimism and hope. You can literally spread seeds in your garden, save and give seeds to your neighbours, or plant virtual seeds by sharing positive ideas, encouragement and kindness. Good intentions, whether in the garden or in your heart, are by nature intended to sprout, grow — and multiply — into something promising and beautiful.
