“Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone else to bring you flowers.” This beloved quote from Veronica Showffstall beautifully captures the amazing similes we can find between gardens and our own souls. Our minds need to be maintained just as a garden does. We must plant seeds in them and care for them, so that they may grow into abundance. As spring enters the air, let it enter your heart as well. Make a plan to plant some seeds, care for the plants they create, and enjoy the rewards at harvest time. In the same way, let your reading flourish.
Planting Seeds
I am one of those who is delighted by the concept of gardening but finds the actual activity harder to pull off. It is easy to get busy, miss the ideal planting date, and say “Oh I will do it next time.” Next spring comes around, and surprisingly nothing is done for the garden once again. This may be obvious to you, but the hardest part of growing a garden is planting the seed. We see this just as much with our reading, do we not?
I would suggest starting small with your garden. Just take a few pots filled with some fresh dirt. Maybe a small grass plot if you have the means. There is no reason to try to start a self-sustaining farm on your first attempt at gardening. Choosing easy plants is another thing that can help take away the intimidation of the green scene. Cucumbers are probably the easiest thing I know to plant. Hardy flowers are also easy and reward you with breathtaking scenery. There are also plants already germinated and sprouted that you can buy at the store. These have the hardest part already done for you.
No matter what types of plants you choose, the hardest part is doing the planting. I would suggest planning well in advance so that you can make sure you have some time set aside. Could you make it a priority, only letting bad weather stand in your way? Taking that first step is incredibly challenging, but you have the strength of character to accomplish it.
The same can be said for our reading. Often the hardest part for me is first opening a book and beginning to read it. This is where it is important to force yourself into that first step. Do not let other things, no matter how pressing they feel, keep you from starting it. Plan time in advance that you will dedicate to reading. Do not let other things get in the way of this important time.
Take Care of Your Garden
“Mankind’s worst enemy is fear of work.” This revelatory statement by Napoleon is very true even in our gardening. Yes, your garden will require care and a little effort. But that is not a bad thing and it does not have to be overwhelming. If you are short on time, choose plants that are easier to maintain. Using pots may be recommendable or plants well suited for your climate. With the right choice of plants and placement, your garden can be of minimal and even enjoyable work.
You must ensure that your plants are in the right place for the level of shade and room that they need. You should be sure to read well any instructions about the kind of soil, water, and nutrients they need. You want to give them the right amount of sunlight so that they do not overheat but receive the light they need for food. If you do not do these things correctly, your plant will naturally require more maintenance and may not survive. While it is not hard to find the best place for your plant, it does require your attention.
Our reading also requires work and maintenance. It is important to make sure you have the right environment for successful reading. You need a calm and peaceful area to read in, a comfortable place to sit, and any food or drink that you might need to keep your body happy. If you are struggling to understand what you are reading, then you need to do whatever you can to increase your understanding. Learn the definitions of big words, read passages multiple times, highlight important parts, whatever you need to understand the work. You will not benefit from something that you do not understand.
The Fruits of Your Labor
Finally, we get to see what all this effort and attention is for. You get to reap what you sow in a sense. There are some obvious benefits to growing your garden. You will get to enjoy the precious vegetables or fruits that you planted. If you grow flowers, you will get to enjoy the beautiful scenery. You also get to share these gifts with others. I do not know many people who will deny some homegrown vegetables or fresh flowers for their home. They will be impressed by your hard work and will grow closer to you as a result.
There are also some more subtle rewards. Gardening requires you to get outside. The fresh air and sun are both healthy for your body and will increase your mood tenfold. In addition, the act of caring for something such as a garden inspires thankfulness and joy. It turns the attention off of yourself and grows character. And finally, you will have more knowledge of plants, how they work, and what they give to their surroundings.
Reading also is incredibly beneficial. It can increase mood in a variety of ways. Stories lighten stress, entertain, and give you something to focus on besides your circumstances. It can grow your mind and character. Reading about others making choices and mistakes teaches you about your nature and enhances the differences between right and wrong. And you can learn so many things from books that you will use later in life. You may not even realize the value of the information you intake until years later!
Both reading and gardening are incredibly valuable activities for your mind and body. They can teach you so much about the world around you and your place in it. While they are not always easy and can require significant amounts of effort, you will reap the benefits for years to come. This spring, try starting a garden. Even just planting a few flowers can give you joy and something to work towards while you experience fresh air and spend time in nature. It is well worth the effort.