Seeds of Life and Hope III

There is a lot of information out there now about staying positive. That said, the reality is that sometimes even with the best of soil, water and conditions, some seeds just don’t grow or thrive. But then again, some will flourish even when you don’t expect they will.

A few years ago, after having beautiful sunflowers for many seasons, none would grow out front. The few small seedlings that did appear were trampled by small animals or beaten down by the rain. In the past, they grew nearly to the roof.

I planted more seeds than usual this spring. Only half of the flower seeds I planted have sprouted. I have sown new ones hoping that these will grow where the other ones didn’t.

I have a tendency to grow too many tomato plants for my small space. This year as I prepared the soil, I tried to plant just one seed in each container. I figured that would cut down in the plants I would need to pinch off or thin. Surprisingly, they all grew. The seeds were leftover from previous years which is not always recommended. They grew anyway.

In the fall of this past year I attended a conference. As part of his keynote speech, Drew Dudley, a motivational speaker who has given TedX Talks, asserted that we could support our mental health and grow more resilient by practicing failure in safe ways. I can see my gardening through this lens.

Similarly some of my other seeds of hope to help get through the past few weeks have had mixed results.

• My daffodils still haven’t bloomed but they will soon. I continue to visit the garden everyday which helps lift my spirits.
• Plans to clean up the backyard were derailed by cool weather, work and a rainy weekend. I will try again tomorrow.
• Plans to try new walking routes with my dog Mona were changed due to closures in the park nearby. We’ve added an extra block to our previous route instead.
• Some of my virtual paint nite paintings worked out, others didn’t. I got a record number of likes when I re-worked a tough one. I was able to build on the examples and techniques that didn’t work out initially.

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Of course, it would be much nicer if everything worked out the way I wanted it to the first time. It is okay, sometimes what happens is beyond my control. Maybe there is another technique or path for me to try.

I was absolutely delighted to see tiny “Robust Hedgehog Cactus” seedlings growing in the tiny terrarium I started two weeks ago. Although they are tiny, I rejoice in small successes.

I wish for you success in your daily acts of hope and lessons of comfort for those that don’t necessarily work out the way you first envisioned. Yes, I am still waiting on the bonsai hyssop seeds to sprout. It will be okay.

“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”

Martin Luther (1483-1546)