I've never been much of a gardener, in spite being the granddaughter of a farmer, and a flower grower. This analogy did speak to me and it is possible to apply it to my life. I live in a harsh climate, and while I endeavor to, basically, grow flowers in a desert, I do sometimes succeed, and those flowers are precious while they last. Within my own landscape, I've worked for years to weed out some toxic thistles, and have mostly succeeded, but there are tangled vines that remain a complex mass that tires me out trying to unravel it. Perhaps I'll build a trellis and let it climb instead.
I recently finished Parker Palmer's book "Let Your Life Speak", with the profound truth that we are all born with innate strengths and weaknesses, and it's only by embracing both as they are that we can become who we truly are and meant to be. I like grounding that concept in the visual of steady-state garden elements - the soil and the deep-rooted trees that comprise our true nature.
My garden has gently taught me about acceptance of her and myself. She likes my sturdy strong limbs, my soft yielding tummy and my healthy appetite. All the better to tend her. Not for her the brutal judgements of an industry that produces addictive substances (ultra processed food), things to fix it (diets) and impossible ‘beauty’ standards. She loves me and gives me back myself in all my sweaty, dirty, hair sticking up glory.
I love the complexity and unpredictability of my garden now I’ve stopped trying to hold her to impossible standards. She’s rewarded me with such pockets of gifted beauty.
Thank you for being beautiful you just as you are too Satya💚🌷
Acceptance. Such a difficult concept. Is letting go admitting failure? It would be so great if I could sit happily with positivity in doing that. I’ll try it.
Such an insightful metaphor -"Like gardens, we are a blend of the results of intentional effort, plus the effects of wildness and weather. We have inherited our unique internal ‘plot of land’ from our many ancestors, and it has been shaped by their joys and their traumas, especially by those of our primary caregivers."
We are not really born with clean slates, but we do get to change what's been written.
As someone who madly moderates almost everything I “do” that I deem unhealthy, I truly appreciate this piece! The garden analogy is wonderful. I particularly love the idea of letting go of “the things that are, for whatever reason, just beyond us right now”. The right now aspect helps me surrender.
Thank you for this Satya, it hit the spot this morning and the analogy is wonderful, someone once said my garden makes them think of a french one - higgledy piggledy but beautiful, very much my state of mind and my garden is where I have premission to be higgledy piggledy as I need to be quite organised the rest of the time. Also where do you get rose and cardamom bliss balls? My clients are offered a rose, violet or mint chocolate after their treatments but those sound gorgeous (mind you I don't know if they'd make it to the clients ......!)
Just had a slow walk around my plot in the sun, but ominous black skies over the Hills. Apple blossom, primroses, tulips but daffs and camellias finished.... But now need to relate all this to me and my 80 years and counting. Blessings.
I've never been much of a gardener, in spite being the granddaughter of a farmer, and a flower grower. This analogy did speak to me and it is possible to apply it to my life. I live in a harsh climate, and while I endeavor to, basically, grow flowers in a desert, I do sometimes succeed, and those flowers are precious while they last. Within my own landscape, I've worked for years to weed out some toxic thistles, and have mostly succeeded, but there are tangled vines that remain a complex mass that tires me out trying to unravel it. Perhaps I'll build a trellis and let it climb instead.
Such a beautiful post. What a glorious analogy.
I recently finished Parker Palmer's book "Let Your Life Speak", with the profound truth that we are all born with innate strengths and weaknesses, and it's only by embracing both as they are that we can become who we truly are and meant to be. I like grounding that concept in the visual of steady-state garden elements - the soil and the deep-rooted trees that comprise our true nature.
Profound to think of having inherited our plot of land to tend. Wow.
My garden has gently taught me about acceptance of her and myself. She likes my sturdy strong limbs, my soft yielding tummy and my healthy appetite. All the better to tend her. Not for her the brutal judgements of an industry that produces addictive substances (ultra processed food), things to fix it (diets) and impossible ‘beauty’ standards. She loves me and gives me back myself in all my sweaty, dirty, hair sticking up glory.
I love the complexity and unpredictability of my garden now I’ve stopped trying to hold her to impossible standards. She’s rewarded me with such pockets of gifted beauty.
Thank you for being beautiful you just as you are too Satya💚🌷
Love this and also love gardening. Thank you 🙏
Acceptance. Such a difficult concept. Is letting go admitting failure? It would be so great if I could sit happily with positivity in doing that. I’ll try it.
Beautiful.
I love that you are Just. Being. Satya. It makes my garden a much lovelier place. 🌼
Throughly enjoyed this sharing. It is a helpful analogy and a useful way to accept change. You hit a sweet spot for me today. Thank you 🙏🪷
Thank you Satya. So much to cultivate when using the garden as metaphor. I love the term, "inner ecology".
Such an insightful metaphor -"Like gardens, we are a blend of the results of intentional effort, plus the effects of wildness and weather. We have inherited our unique internal ‘plot of land’ from our many ancestors, and it has been shaped by their joys and their traumas, especially by those of our primary caregivers."
We are not really born with clean slates, but we do get to change what's been written.
Thank you, Satya. Beautifully written and so much to gently consider.
Great piece, I am mulling
As someone who madly moderates almost everything I “do” that I deem unhealthy, I truly appreciate this piece! The garden analogy is wonderful. I particularly love the idea of letting go of “the things that are, for whatever reason, just beyond us right now”. The right now aspect helps me surrender.
Thanks, Satya 🫶
Thank you for this Satya, it hit the spot this morning and the analogy is wonderful, someone once said my garden makes them think of a french one - higgledy piggledy but beautiful, very much my state of mind and my garden is where I have premission to be higgledy piggledy as I need to be quite organised the rest of the time. Also where do you get rose and cardamom bliss balls? My clients are offered a rose, violet or mint chocolate after their treatments but those sound gorgeous (mind you I don't know if they'd make it to the clients ......!)
Just had a slow walk around my plot in the sun, but ominous black skies over the Hills. Apple blossom, primroses, tulips but daffs and camellias finished.... But now need to relate all this to me and my 80 years and counting. Blessings.