Blooming Through Adversity: Lessons From The Garden
I have had this wall plaque for years that goes like this; To learn the flowers is to know the weeds. I saw it one day in a boutique shop in the middle of some rough life experiences and snapped it up. Since then, it has become a daily reminder to me that, as much as we want our lives here on earth to be beautiful and perfect with little effort, that is not the case. Many things will come against it, upending the bliss we long for. Our troubles spring up and multiply like weeds. There are forces and elements that will come against our garden of life and if allowed, wreak havoc.
I really like to garden. Something about digging in the dirt is very cathartic. Maybe it has something to do with the hope and dream of growth, and survival. It stirs the creative spirit, and grounds me- no pun intended here. Bringing order, planting life, and nourishing soil. Very satisfying.
Life, though, can crowd time and sap energy like nothing else sometimes. When running thin, we end up not making the time and having little to no energy to remove weeds that, given time, can be counted on to show up. And those of you who garden know, give weeds an inch, they take the whole plot of ground. They may start off looking minuscule, some may even appear as the plants you planted. They are not. Things can really get out of hand when you are not paying attention. Ignore them long enough, and the job to remove them can become daunting. It’s hard to enjoy the beauty of the garden when you see the weeds that need removing. The joy is diminished or taken away altogether.
So this is just another reminder to us all; we have a daily choice to neglect or weed the garden of our life. When we make the choice to weed – to deal with challenging issues, emotions, and relationships that are facing us, it may not be a walk in the park, and we may end up tired and exhausted in the process, but there is such a sense of overcoming and purpose. It is empowering.
If you want to create and enjoy your life as the beautiful garden it was intended to be, then you must face the fact that there are circumstances that will come against you and action is necessary. You also need knowledge and the proper tools. It’s hard to work the ground without a rake, hoe or shovel. It is just as difficult to develop our lives and remove toxic beliefs without God, without wise counsel, and without others to support and encourage us. These are absolutely necessary.
So today, invest a little time in your garden. If it seems overwhelming, find just one little plot of soil to begin with. Baby steps. Call a friend. Clean a room. Take a walk. Be creative. Have that talk that needs to take place. Attempt the difficult task you have been avoiding that takes so much negative energy. Own the plot of ground called your heart. Do something good for yourself, for your soul. But DO something. Give it time, and you will begin to see change, and your garden will start to mature. It will become a place of peace, a place of rest with the satisfaction of a job well done in the ownership of your heart.
And that my friend is a beautiful thing.
If you ever feel you are stuck in the weeds, I’d love to set up a time to talk with you. Feel free to contact me.