Lessons From My Garden

“If you want the answer to anything, go sit in Nature for awhile”- Albert Einstei

Lessons from my Garden:

Now that Summer is in it’s final stages and I’ve nurtured my gardens to the point of harvest, I thought I’d write about some of the lessons about life I‘ve gathered in that process. I’ve said many times to my clients and those who attend my seminars, anytime you are overwhelmed or are dealing with a frustrating issue, quiet down and go sit outside in nature somewhere. In a while your mind will open up, your awareness of the bigness of the universe will creep into your consciousness, you’ll calm down and most likely you’ll come away with a different perspective if not an answer. Thus the quote from Einstein above. I have personally found it to be true and those of my clients who heed this suggestion often come back with some major breakthroughs and “aha’s”.

So here are some of my observations in no particular order.

1. There is no question we live in a world of abundance. Open any fruit or vegetable and try and count the seeds... all potential future plants. Try and count how many leaves or acorns on a single oak. No question that life is not only abundant but is meant to continue to grow and reach it’s full potential.

2. An acorn that drops onto the driveway, no matter how much potential it has will not begin to grow into that potential ( as an Oak tree) unless it is in an environment that is conducive to it’s growth. It needs to be in the soil where it can begin to attract the water and sun and nutrients that it needs to begin it’s journey through life as a tree. And as it attracts what it needs it is also giving off nutrients to the soil. We have to take our journey by ourselves and make our own choices to lead a successful life, but we can’t do it alone. We are all connected and in a symbiotic relationship, just as nature is. Are you in an environment that is conducive to your growth?

3. Bumble bees buzzing from flower to flower gathering pollen, first of all are aerodynamically not supposed to be able to fly, we’ve all heard that, but second, I observed them closely and discover that they cover their bodies in the pollen they are collecting and continue to go from flower to flower, sharing what they have that the flower needs and gathering the pollen that it needs. It keeps gathering. That’s what it is we are here to do. We need to keep gathering too. Ongoing education, new experiences, reading and learning is all part of our process of growth here on earth. How sad when someone says, “I know it all”. Has anyone ever told you that? I’ve had two people tell me that over the years when I was discussing what they might learn at a seminar I was conducting. First of all, it’s a ridiculous and untrue statement. Second of all, what a shame to cut yourself off from further knowledge and wisdom. We’re either growing or we’re dying. If we keep growing and learning we’ll lead a rich, full and happy life. If we stop learning, well, we won’t go there. I saw a quote the other day that said, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that’s important.” I loved it! I think we all need to be more like the bumble bee. How much “pollen” have you gathered lately?

4. Early in the season when I was trimming my basil back so it would bush out I was struck with another thought. We want to continually be trimming and cutting back as well so we gain even more. If we are not afraid to let go of something we don’t need, i.e. stuff, old habits, relationships or jobs that don’t serve us, unhealthy thoughts, we will clear a path for the abundant Universe to deliver even more good to us. In the case of my basil, rather than one tall stalk that would only yield so many leaves, the plant branched out into 5 other branches each filled with wonderfully aromatic leaves. ( and yes, the pesto was fab!) What needs to be trimmed from your life?

5. Here’s a big one. Ever raise tomatoes? I always stake ours so they grow tall, tomatoes are off the ground and exposed to the sun and fresh air they need AND I always trim the “suckers”. You know, those braches that grow between the main stem and branches. They come out strong, taking all the energy away from the main branches and rarely sprout tomatoes… just lots of green that if left to run wild can pull the whole plant down. Ok, so you can see where I’m going with this one. How many “suckers” are there in your life? They are out there! The ones who are negative, whining and complaining and trying to drain all the energy away from those who are positive and looking to reach their dreams. They’ve got to go! Snip ‘em off before they get out of control. Just as with the plants though, it requires daily attention. If we do that they no longer have any power in our lives.

6. The other thing about the tomatoes is that I tie them up to the stakes because if I want them to yield their full potential they need help. When was the last time you asked for help?

7. And lastly, the yield from a garden cannot be rushed. You’ve heard the term before that there is a season to reap and a season to sow. One of the hardest lessons to keep in mind when we are moving towards our dream. We want it NOW! We live in a society of immediate gratification. Well, when we are working with Natural Laws, the Universe cannot be rushed. Just like I can’t force the squash to grow faster, I can’t force my dream to manifest until all the right processes are in place, all the right connections have been made, until I have attracted all that I need for it to come into the physical. As a matter of fact, force negates. Why? Because when we are forcing, we are in resistance to the fact that it is not here yet and so we get more of that. We need to be in a place of allowing, of gratitude and understanding that all is in perfect order. We do our part, the Universe does it’s part and we will get exactly what we have asked for and nurtured; whatever we have planted in the magnificent rich garden of our subconscious mind and attended to regularly. What have you planted and nurtured?

I suggest you take some time after reading this, take a journal and go get lost somewhere in nature. Leave your cell phone at home and just wander until you find someplace to sit and OBSERVE. And no excuses, you have time. This is important. You may be very pleasantly surprised about what you see and hear and make note of.