Stay In Your Garden

“...envision it as your own personal sanctuary, your truth of the uttermost serene.”

Volume I

Series; The Sanctuary Of The Soul

From early in life, I embodied the role of the gardener. I made it my responsibility to care for my garden - a space we might refer to as “our wellbeing”. Experience revealed that this maintenance was constant hard work. Thus, after trial and error, I learned skills to make it less of a struggle. Furthermore, it then felt natural to me to expand my field of work. With this harvest of knowledge, I was convinced it was my task to care for all gardens. “I ought to practice as a versatile gardener” and hence my realm expanded far past my own picket fence. With that responsibility and the demeanor of a good girl; keeping other gardens well became a higher priority than maintaining my own. In this piece, my aim is to discuss wellbeing in the metaphor of a garden. My reflections evolve around how all organisms of a garden can reflect aspects of selfcare, and in those ideas I found similarities which led me to a profound reverie of how I will take care of me! In addition; making sure you are thriving will still affect the other gardens you wish well. As cross-pollination; a great outcome if we manage to focus on the plants we planted ourselves.

Firstly, I would like to share my definition of “your - or my - garden”. Please envision it as your own personal sanctuary, your truth of the uttermost serene. This place - a botanical construct in my preferred case - is a representation of personal peace. With that - quickly comes the desire of making it the only place your mind lets yourself be. This is very important to me, it shall not be somewhere you seek refuge, no - rather a place you permanently stay. No matter your obligations nor situation; everyone deserves tranquility and a loving environment where the soul can be free. If this is only in your mind, please make that to be! The limitations can be many, yet I am sure our imaginations can be more powerful - no matter the troubles in which we sleep. Even in a garden, there are infinite factors we can not do but please. The weather or season will never be in our control, yet, if we have the ability for acknowledgement, it will relieve us of the stress, and we can do nothing but adjustments…Often that is how life goes; forward in the acceptance the creation is not of our hand. Thus how we react, and save the plants might be the change which stands.

A little house of ivy... (This was written on a red typewriter inside there)

As I drew this outline of my desired realm, I started with the components that make botanical life go on. Firstly, there is soil. In the context I have placed this example in; I wrote soil to be the culture of your garden. Second, there are plants, which I made to be abilities, feelings and skills. Lastly, I pictured water as a source of influence. In addition I added weeds (outside of my garden though)...Yet weeds can be impostors, with the purpose to irregulate the harmony you have built.

Of soil, plants, and water, I figured that soil comes first. So even before I can plant the seeds to new liberties, I have to make sure the culture of my environment is going to encourage these beginnings. Crucial in human culture, I see attitudes and beliefs. How, and what you preach is the first priority. Easier to say than to do…Self talk and how we accept and have compassion for ourselves, makes the difference in the motivation for growth. Sprinkling that soil with good-will, a solid assent that the weather will be bad - and sometimes the plants won't grow in your demand…is the foundation of it all. Secondly, when you have come to terms with this, nourishment is established for these creations. What plants you choose might differ from the start, and especially once you have gained knowledge. To keep in mind, some plants are complex - in addition to that they all need steady care. So, please be mindful of your pick, and also how many; with the time and expertise on your hands. When these creations are birthed, watering must be on the plan. Thus, what water should they receive? Please make sure it is clean. Be consistent and steady, with the nurture you give. Unless, the stress of surprise, and uncertainty - can trigger the plant's progression. The quality of this elixir must be good, with a close eye to the temperature, and making sure it brings healthy nutrients. Finally, there are several opportunities for weeds to come. It can be that they are already underlying in your soil, and even in innocent attempts to adjust the soil, the dominant plants can come along. In the empty spaces too, they might see it as a possibility for a coup. Furthermore, they are nature's way of indicating an imbalance in the soil, how disturbing…and fitting…I know. This deficiency in the soil will weaken the other plants, and sadly the weeds will get through. In this time you will have to face the weeds - and most importantly, the problems occurring underneath.

Captured when and where I got this idea; in the rosebeds in May...

So lets imagine, we have got a solid foundation of soil - one we are aware and acknowledge to keep our affectionate gaze on. Then, we decide which plants to grow. A case relevant to my own experience, are the plants of friendship. It is one I have got much experience with, as life has gotten more nuanced. My view of the plant and how to treat it has drastically differed. One of the main revelations I discovered is if the plant will fully bloom, I have to be intentional. If the resources are there, and we imagine the flowers grow; let's pretend each flower represents a friendship. Then, I now know, I can only take genuine care of a few. If I start to plant all these seeds and occasionally sprinkle some water, my findings are that the connection to the flower does not feel as intimate, nor truthful. Often, this can also lead to a decay of the blossom. Hence, I have come to terms with a certain amount of flowers, which I know I am capable of giving my all. Besides that, there are hobbies or talents I would like to spare some time and energy. Those I would also want to be deliberate about, in the purpose of achieving quality. Even with all the time in the world, our energies are not infinite, and they have to be delegated well. It does count, even if you think it is just a little thing…another “no worries” quickly turns to a pattern, which long term will irregulate your foundation. Perhaps it is simply another showcase of “quality over quantity”.

My basket of plums last year, which I am sure will be even more full this year!

If you stay in your own garden, perhaps you will manage to make your flowers bloom to the point of excess! The wind will take your pollen, and bring with it the happiness! How would you want to risk them bringing the bad seeds of weeds, and spread your unconscious mess? For both yourself, and the other gardens, do not run around in distress.

In advance, sorry for the cliche - If a flower is not doing well, you would ever blame them? Perhaps, you would rather focus your gaze on the environment, and find the reasons that this creature can not bloom. For yourself, I wish you to have the same maternal gaze. It is not your fault. Rather, it might be the culture of the soil, or the quality of the water - those two factors indeed affect your flowers' abilities, and the opportunity for weeds to grow. If you are occupied with someone else's garden, these errors you will hardly know, and once the flowers are dead, hence the feelings and skills you own, there will be little for you to go on…Rather make your garden so great, it gives you serenity, and it surely will cross-polinate. In the process of growth, I have become aware there is so much I truly can control. Trim, or even cut the stems! Remove the weeds! And never let poisonous water meet your pure hands! At the end of the day, this sanctuary will keep no one else than yourself. So out of self-love, let's make this a haven where you can be content. My last addition to this piece, a beacon of hope so to speak - an abundant garden will attract - yet that will be for the continuation of my beloved garden scenes, perhaps a series…