Thriving and Growing

“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt."

Margaret Atwood

When the rains of the fall season started last October, my husband and I planted a small grove of deciduous trees. These were all cuttings we had received from friends, which I rooted in pots the previous spring. As of the last few weeks, I am happy to report that all cuttings have new leaves⎯always a good sign this time of the year.

I love starting new plants, whether by seed, cuttings or simply dividing the root mass. Although, it’s the propagation of shrubs and trees over the years that really gives me a certain sense of wonder and satisfaction. There is truly something magical about planting a small tree and watching it thrive and grow. The soil on our place is made up of rock and clay. It is definitely an experiment in “tough love” when one plants anything in it. With my patient hands, and yards and yards of compost, I have learned how to give plants the love and care they need.

Of the many things gardening has taught me over the years, patience has been one of its greatest gifts. It takes patience beyond measure to watch a tree cutting grow into a mature specimen. I have taken this patience and spread its seeds into many areas of my life. With patience, I grow, I thrive. When one is patient, and smelling like dirt, life has a way of rewarding us one leaf at a time.

Photo courtesy of Nate Steiner

Lilacs in Bloom

Lilacs and the month of May go hand in hand. My light purple lilac bush has started to bloom. Each year the heady fragrance evokes memories of days gone by. I gently hold the panicle of blooms in my hand as I draw the scent deep within. When I do this, I can detect a slight taste on my tongue of what must be the taste of light purple. There is no other scent like that of a lilac in bloom⎯and one must simply adore the mere presence of any shrub with heart shaped leaves.

As I draw in the intoxicating scent each May, the movie reels of my mind begin to play and I am drawn back to:

• The lilac shrubs in the backyards of my childhood⎯as they would beckon me to leave winter behind to join them outside to play⎯many a mud cake was decorated with these fine flowers.
• The May procession down the center aisle of our church⎯when the statue of mother Mary was crowned with lilacs, and huge bouquets of lilacs filled the church with spring and the scent I so adore.
• The huge light purple lilac shrub growing at one end of the clothesline on the backside of my grandparent’s home⎯the very plant my light purple lilac bush originates from.
• Giving a bouquet of lilacs to my mommy on Mother’s Day⎯which she lovingly accepted even if those were the only flowers growing on the shrub.
• The white double lilac bush currently just waiting to bloom and memories of the home my husband and I once lived in⎯and yes, where my white double lilac originated from.

Such memories remind me of the rhythm of the seasons⎯month-to-month, day-to-day. Scent is such a powerful enchantress. She gives us the surprise of bygone days and brings us back to those moments when we least expect it or just seem to need it. So take a breath, and draw the scent deep within.

Photo courtesy of nightmares in technicolor

Faking It

I have to admit there are times when I fake it. I’ve faked it:

• first thing in the morning and last thing at night,
• in the car, on a plane and a train,
• while talking on the phone,
• in the garden, and more than once hiking in the woods,
• looking in a mirror,
• during several parties, a lecture or two and a musical Broadway hit,
• in the changing room at the department store,
• while at the gym
• sitting, standing, lying down and every possible position in between,
• at school, work and multiple times in every room of my home.

In fact, I fake it wherever and whenever I possibly can, and I know I’ll fake it again and again. Why? Because by faking it, I might just begin to enjoy it for real⎯and real is what we are all looking for. It is the feeling we are trying to express, and if slapping a smile on my face is what it takes to motivate me towards happiness, joy, or something close to it⎯I’m going to:

• smirk,
• beam,
• show my dimple or that twinkle in my eye
• and grin from ear to ear.

So how about you, where do you fake it? You can tell me⎯I know you want to.

Photo courtesy of Pulpolux

May: I Intend to Turn My World Upside Down

I am a very routine oriented person. I actually feel better when I get up, eat and head to bed about the same times each day. I find that routine helps me work discipline into my life; otherwise, I would lack the structure I need to keep up with the housekeeping or do my workout routines⎯aha, there’s that word again. Could routine be getting in my way though?

I am so routine oriented, I just might miss out on something better, fun, new or just plain different.

Spring is always a great time to start something new, so this month I intend to change my routine and tweak it just a bit. No longer will my routine be repetitive, predictable or monotonous. Here are a few routine busters I am considering:

• Brush my teeth with the opposite hand - this will force my brain to think differently, it will be good for building better coordination and not to mention having a good laugh.
• Drive, walk or run a different route to work, home or wherever - who knows what I'll discover just around the corner?
• Shop for groceries or clothing at a different store - I might find something I have been searching for.
• Try a new recipe - it could become a new favorite.
• Eat dessert first - I know, it will spoil my meal⎯oh well!
• Order a menu item I wouldn’t normally consider - expanding my tastes sounds good to me.
• Completely change whatever I had planned on doing - what a surprise!

This intention will not only tweak my brain, but also pave the way for changes. Who knows what fun I’ll have this month turning my world upside down. You can turn your world upside down too by starting each day with the thought: I intend to turn my world upside down. This intention is guaranteed to breathe new life into the old repetitive, predictable and monotonous routines. What will your routine busters be?

Photo courtesy of Care_SMC

Words to Live By

Before you say anything, ask yourself:

Is it kind? Is it true? Is it useful?

(Buddhist principle)

It is the simplicity of this principle that drives it home to my very core. As I consider it, I have to ask myself why I might even think of saying something unkind, not true or not useful? What is my intention? When I do this, I learn more about who I am, then I can ask myself if this is who I want to be?

When I focus on my intention, at any given time, it wakes me up. Words have the ability to fill me with motivation or not⎯it is my choice. Wake up and join me⎯find the motivation behind the words. Simply ask yourself:

Is it kind?

Is it true?

Is it useful?

Photo courtesy of Helga Weber