One of gardening’s great blessings is the peace it affords the gardener. When problems weigh upon me like an anvil, I open the French doors and walk outside. My shoes step onto the path with a satisfying crunch, and after a few moments of wandering here and there; deadheading a salvia or a rose with a snap; spreading spent Zinnia seeds; or pulling a weed, my worries dissipate. My mind settles, and there is a stillness to my thoughts. It is this same stillness which frees writers to write, and painters to paint. Gardeners can visualize the next pathway, planting bed or where a particular plant should go.
All of us, in our own fashion, are artists.
We are each painting the canvasses of our lives. We, and our children, need a time of peace and quiet for our minds to quit spinning. It is only in the stillness that we are given the power to create.
This ability to quiet the mind from all of its troubles and yearnings is sometimes called meditation. I’ve spent a lot of time working at this practice, and it is as good as taking a nap in the afternoon. Not that naps are a bad thing, but a quiet and alert mind is another way to renew.
So, here’s my suggestion. This evening, just before the sun sets where you work and play, when the light is soft and pink, take a moment or two (or sixty) and walk among your plants. Whether you have an extensive garden or a few pots, these precious moments spent with nature are your reward for fighting the good fight another day. It won’t be long before you’ve reframed your thoughts. Maybe you’ll even reach a plateau where time stands still, and when you go indoors, you’ll realize you’ve spent more time outside than you intended.
If so, consider it gift and thank the heavens that we are given such.
As my friend, David, would say . . .
Namaste.
People I know here don’t really understand the concept of actually enjoying gardening work. They can’t see why I don’t just hire someone to take care of the garden like nearly everyone else does. But a great deal of the joy I get from my garden comes from the care and sweat I put into it. Sitting beside my little fish pond that I dug with my own two hands (and feet as leverage on the shovel) gives far more satisfaction and peace than if we’d simply moved into this spot with the garden and all of it’s idiosyncrasies already well established and pristine. I even like the parts of my garden that seem to give me endless trouble, as it is in these cases I get the biggest challenges and the biggest rewards when I finally make them work. As you’ve stated so well the garden is one spot I can always count on to cool my anger or to ease my troubled soul.
Okie in self-inflicted exiles last blog post..New beginnings
Good words of advice..and beautiful, beautiful photo.
xoxo Nita
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Hi Nita, your name is the same as my sister. I so enjoyed visiting your blog. Thanks for coming by and for commenting.~~Dee
Beautiful Dee – we may well be taking you up on that offer of a garden tour and visit in the spring.
Oh, Sarah, I hope you do. May and June are the nicest months.~~Dee
What you say is so very true!
Namaste /Katarina
Katarina (Roses and stuff)s last blog post..Yellow + Pink = Elinor!
Thank you, Katarina.~~Dee
I wish I had found time to follow this wonderful advice this evening.
debs last blog post..160 Degree Compost – I Finally Succeeded
Hi Deb, I hope you did it the next day. It’s hard to find the time when you have kids isn’t it?~~Dee
Wise and lovely words, Dee, accompanied by gorgeous photos. The arbor looks so beautiful and very peaceful. I must stop reading now and go take that walk! 🙂
Your summer gardens are lovely and I enjoyed catching up on your posts. You write so well!
kerris last blog post..Late Summer Color
Hi Kerri, thank you.~~Dee
Your pictures are beautiful and love that rose arbor. I feel connected when I go out in the garden. I’m in my own world and troubles do seem to get edged out as warm and more friendly thoughts take over.
Annas last blog post..Sunshine Blue Caryopteris or Bluebeard if you prefer!
Thank you, Anna. I so appreciate your visits.~~Dee
I do this pretty much every day. As I go out with my dogs and the sun is setting. Of course I’m out there with them every hour or so anyway. So it’s easy to get lost in the beauty and simplicity of the garden and nature. Those photos, Dee, are just stunning!
Brenda
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Brenda, I thought of you the other day. I remembered you writing about stepping out on your gravel paths in the morning. Thanks.~~Dee
I read this first thing of a morning. Thank you for your wise and uplifting words, and the magnificent photographs. Beautiful, and I go away to start my day with a smile.
Hugs,
CurtissAnns last blog post..Raisin Pie
Hey Rosebud, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks.~~Dee
Thank you for this! Tour’d’yard is my favorite place to go. Admiring, touching, encouraging, I love it!
Carlas last blog post..WHATTHE?!?!
Thank you, Carla. I love your blog’s tagline. It was great.~~Dee
Dee, love the pics-they are beautiful!!
Check out my Blog I awarded you the Super Commenter Award!
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Sherri, thanks for your kind words and for the award. How sweet!~~Dee
A beautiful post.
You shared my thoughts and my practice.
I am so pleased I found your journal.
Ernestines last blog post..Spider Lily Tribute to Miss Robbye
Ernestine, thank you. It really is about mindfulness, which is difficult to practice in our society.~~Dee
Hi Dee, what a lovely suggestion, I ‘ll try that tonight (hope I don’t get too stressed when I see all the work that needs doing – hee hee! 😉
Lucy x
Lucy Blooms last blog post..Vintage and Handmade Heaven
Hi Lucy, I hope you enjoyed your walk. It’s good to ignore the weeds once in awhile.~~Dee
VERY cool post. You’ve inspired me. I’m having a sleepy day and I think I’ll take a walk later to clear my head:)
I hope you enjoyed your sleepy day. Thanks.~~Dee
Just lovely Dee.
Warm regards
Karen
Karen – An Artists Gardens last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – Not another slug, I promise.
Thank you, Karen.~~Dee
Dee,
What a lovely post and such wise counsel! Thank you, Gail
Gails last blog post..Have You Ever Wondered How Blogs Got Their Names?
Thanks, Gail. I still want to write how my blog got its name.~~Dee
Hi, Dee–Would love to walk with you in your garden. Those pink roses would be among my favs, and the arbor is looking absolutely divinely splendid. You must take great pleasure in enjoying your beautiful creation. Well done. Kathryn xox
I have to be honest and write that this photo of the arbor was taken in May. I figured it was o.k. to post it because of the timelessness of the words. The arbor is all green now.~~Dee
Those are some good thoughts! Gardening can be very therapeutic. Just being out toiling in the yard will help ease your mind.
Daves last blog post..Morning Glories
Yes, it will, but we need rest too, don’t we Dave? 🙂 ~~Dee
I just enjoyed a walk through my gardens before I read your post.
Namaste.
Sheilas last blog post..Pond in Disguise
Amazing how we can think alike isn’t it? I hope your enjoyed your walk.~~Dee
love that space with the blue chairs. Must come and sit there with you.
MA, anytime my friend. Please do.~~Dee
This was very relaxing just reading your words this evening Dee. The photos you chose went with the words so well.
It is funny that I just came inside from my little evening walk about. Namaste.
Thank you, Lisa. Your words mean so much.~~Dee
The garden is one of the few places my mind actually slows down and I can feel peace. (the ocean is another). Thanks for reminding us to make peaceful times in the garden a priority.
Leslies last blog post..Teeming With Tomatoes
Me too, Leslie, me too.~~Dee
So true! The garden is my sanctuary and my therapy! I leave many problems in the garden, and return from it much more at peace with the world.
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Hi Nola, I’m glad you have the same sanctuary I have.~~Dee
Hence my favorite quote (which is in the header of my blog):
You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt. ~Author Unknown
Lovely post Dee, my garden is my therapy. It keeps me going and gives me an opportunity to be creative in my own right.
perennialgardenlovers last blog post..Counting my blessings….
Boy, that is for sure.~~Dee