I find gardeners to be fascinating people...
Their uncanny ability to know which plants thrive in which soil... Their patience to untiringly nurture the plants day after day... Their keen eye to remove weeds... Their intuitive sense when their plants need some extra loving care... Never do they blame the plant when it fails to bloom, rather they reflect on the quality of the soil, the environment, and any gaps in their own caretaking... They take it in their stride, when despite their best efforts and expertise, some plants still wither away... Despite their deep love, they do not hesitate to prune the plant to ensure it grows in the right way... Now what lessons do they teach us, for us to tend to our outer and inner gardens?
The outer garden, though visible to our eye poses immense challenges to us... Do we select our loves, friendships and vocations, in the same way the gardener selects suitable plants?
Do we nurture our relationships, loved ones, finances and career in the same way the gardener nurtures her plants? Do we ensure the weeds of careless words, reckless behaviours, and short-term thinking don't affect our outer garden? Now as for the inner garden, do we really examine what we have growing within? Without inner sight, we can't be sure that poison plants aren't taking root... Do we nurture ourselves, love ourselves despite the failings we seem to have... When failure and misery greet us, do we examine the suitability of our environment, and the actions that led us there, rather than affixing self-doubt?
Do we take it in our stride, when despite our best efforts and wishes, we keep falling again and again... Do we take care to gently prune ourselves with self-discipline to ensure we develop our characters in the way we wish to be... What wonderful lessons our green fingered friends teach us... And they give us the gift of beautiful gardens to enjoy...
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