Outdoor Therapy: Planting the Seed
/Have you noticed that in the midst of uncertainty, confusion, and heartbreak, taking a healthy seed, dropping it in soil, exposing it to water and sunlight, and watching it grow can bring a sense of peace.
I know that I am eager to care for everyone but myself. I am quick to share a kind word with a friend but I am my harshest critic. I am patient with my family but I placed myself on the shortest leash. Caring for my garden is a way for me to remind myself what self-care looks like.
As I check on my plants’ health, presence, and location, I start to tap into its needs and desires. Slowly, this simple act of caring for my plants help me connect with myself and begin paying attention to my own needs. I am able to understand that, sometimes, pruning is required in order to grow. That you need to expose the roots (sometimes quite literally) to see what is affecting the overall health of the plant. It takes some time, but eventually I am able to see how tender I am and to appreciate that I need to be seen and heard, felt, and catered to. I begin to uproot the stories written for me and begin to write my own. And I think, in some way or another, this happens to all of us. We grow so accustomed to hearing our stories from other people, or maybe even ourselves, that we forget the impermanence of it all and our ability to rewrite those stories.
Grow at Your Own Pace
On average, it takes a flowering plant up to 100 days to complete its growth cycle. So as you begin to write your own story, be patient, and remember that any good story takes time.
In the beginning, a seed needs daily attention, but once its roots are anchored it can flourish with minimal maintenance. We too need constant reminders in the beginning when we want to make a change. As the change becomes routine, we can loosen the reigns.
There will be times when the external environment puts extra stress on the plant and they need special attention. It’s ok to take time for yourself and be selfish when your world becomes stressful. Relax with a massage or enjoy that piece of chocolate cake!
Oftentimes, you plant a seed not knowing what is going to emerge from the soil. Sure, the packet of seeds you picked up at the supermarket might say kale but you never really know until it starts to sprout. A certain idea may sound good at first, but as it develops you may find that it’s not for you. It’s ok to uproot an idea if it not working for you.
With plants, we don’t have to give too much or more than what’s needed; we just need to take the time to pay attention to its needs. The same is true with us. And as we reflect, we can begin to discover. As we take the time to pay attention to engage in a moment of self-discovery, we can begin to write our stories with authenticity and patience.
