Forever Blooming
Each week, my wife Helen and I enjoy volunteering at Mullet Creek Park in Safety Harbor, FL where we care for a pollination garden planted in memory of our sweet daughter Logan. Being in the garden reminds us that life is continuous and forever blooming.
Just Bee – Embrace the Present
Gary, Leslie, Nancy, and Janice are the master gardeners at the Safety Harbor Club who support our efforts. I instantly feel relaxed when I’m with them. They have a positive energy and a gift of living in the moment and finding joy in everyday tasks.
This made me curious, are they like this naturally? Or did they acquire the skills of patience, slowing down, and appreciating the simple things in life through gardening? I began to wonder how we can cultivate the garden within. The garden within our heart, our mind, and our soul. If we can learn to be open to new experiences and follow our hearts, we will never stop growing. So here are a few gardening metaphors to help us reconnect to ourselves and just be.
Pull the Weeds – Clear the Space for Growth
To have a beautiful garden, you must first get rid of all the weeds and clear the space. When I ask Gary what’s a weed, he always says, “Whatever you don’t want…that’s a weed.” So in life, get rid of the weeds. Remove those things that are occupying space in your mind and preventing you from being your best self. Get rid of what doesn’t nurture your health, relationships, family, career, or spirituality. Stop and consider what is causing worry that is unnecessary and exhausting. Let it go!
What you think is so important now won’t matter in 5, 10, or 20 years. Live for today and accept that there may not be a tomorrow. I’ve found this realization to be a gift—that all things are temporary. Both good and bad situations will come and go. Have gratitude for what you have today and know the bad storms in life will pass in time.
Envision Your Garden – Create Possibility
Once you’ve cleared the weeds, there is a renewed lightheartedness and hope about the possibilities of a new garden. Now you can really see what you’re working with and the potential that lies within. This is the time to dream—and dream big! You don’t have to be constrained by anything.
It’s your garden, you decide what goes in and what you will nurture, cultivate, and harvest in the years ahead.
Plant with Purpose – Have a Plan
With your new vision, you need a plan—a layout of what you want your garden to look like. In life, this starts with your purpose. What do you want your life to be about? What do you value? What do you want to experience? How will you give back? It’s important to write these down. When things don’t go as expected, or you feel you’re heading in the wrong direction, come back to your plan. Return to your roots. Remember why you are here and what you value most. It’s your garden, you decide what goes in and what you will nurture, cultivate, and harvest in the years ahead.
Work the Garden – Take Action
Now it’s time to take action. This is where the hard work begins. Not everything will go as planned so you’ll need to adapt. Know that friends and family can help you. Some have plants and seeds you can use and plenty of advice and wisdom to share. Others have a lifetime of experience full of mistakes and lessons learned. They have tips to guide you along the way. Or maybe, you just need a helping hand and someone to listen and support you. Know that there are people in your life that love you and will always be there. Bring them closer to you. Let them help you in your garden of life. When it’s time to harvest, give back to them. There can be abundance for all if we are willing to share and help others.
Nurture the Garden – Cultivate Balance and Self-Love
Nurturing the garden within takes consistent daily practice, self-love, patience, and great care. Too much of anything—sun, water, heat, cold—will destroy your garden. Manage your life with moderation and balance. Be gentle with yourself. Schedule time to relax, eat healthy, exercise, and sleep. Get away from the computer, television, cell phones, the news, and social media. Yes, it’s easy to say but hard to do. Take it one day at a time. You’ll start to see slow and steady growth. Your spirit within will shine bright and forever bloom. At the end of the day when the sun sets—the world will be so much better with a happier you!
With much love!
Al Renshaw
Logan’s Love is a volunteer organization. We welcome donations to help support the youth programs and community and environmental causes important to Logan and our family. Together, let’s be the light and make a difference.
