Lessons from the Garden

I have found that tending to a garden has a lot of similarities to life. In order to create growth in a garden, there must be proper, intentional care. As is the same with life. In order to create sustainable growth in ourselves, in our careers and in our relationships, we must be intentional. 

Here are some lessons I've learned from the garden.

1. Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it's not growing.

A lot of growth in the garden happens below the surface before it finally breaks through the soil. The same is true in our lives. If we don't stick with the behaviors, we may abort our best selves before we have our beautiful break through. Just because you aren't seeing the bloom yet, it doesn't mean the roots of your hard work aren't there, just below the surface.

2. What you nurture is what will grow.

If you spend all your time watering and tending to the weeds in your garden and neglecting the beautiful plants and flowers, the weeds are what will thrive. Make sure you aren't watering the weeds in your life. Nurture the positive, nurture your priorities and that's where you'll see the growth.

3. We must prune!

If you've ever grown a plant, you know that leaves will die off or disease may hit a section of that plant, and if you don't get ride of the dying parts, the disease will continue to grow destroy the plant in it's entirety. We have to prune in our lives too. Don't let negativity spread. Sometimes we have to make the tough decision to prune the bad things in our lives in order to allow the good to prosper. 

4. Everything has its season for growth.

Not everything grows all year round; everything grows in seasons. Our lives go through a similar pattern. We cannot do it all, at one time. There is a season for every aspect of our life. Embrace the season you're in and find what will grow with the conditions that surround you.

5. There is beauty and purpose in every difference.

I love the quote from Zen Shin, "A flower doesn't think about competing against the flower next to it, it just blooms." We all have our our purpose and just because it doesn't look the same as someone else's doesn't mean it is not just as important. There is beauty and purpose for all of us and we should celebrate those differences, not compare them.

As you prepare your Spring garden, I hope you think of these lessons and allow them to bring peace and joy to your life.