4 IMPORTANT LIFE LESSONS I LEARNED FROM MY VERY FIRST GARDEN
Covid-19 has filled our lives with uncertainty, fear, and disappointment but I am a strong believer that everything that happens is meant to happen for the greater good. While it may be frightening to consider a silver lining to this pandemic that has destroyed and killed so many lives, I believe that we can learn from this tragedy and improve our society. We can either do nothing or learn from it.
Before the pandemic there were times when I wished I could slow down because I felt I was constantly overburdened with work and didn’t have time to enjoy life. Then came March 2020, and I found myself with all the time in the world, no place to go, and days totally void of social interaction. So I took advantage of this time to relax, spend time with my family, and learn a new skill - gardening.
Growing my first garden was such a rewarding experience. After killing countless plants ranging from flowers to herbs, I was finally able to grow a vegetable garden with my mom last year and I am pleased with the results.
Going out to garden has taught me a lot of valuable life lessons which I would love to share with you.
Here are 4 important life lessons I have learned from gardening:
1. Growth occurs over time. You cannot plant a seed today and expect it to sprout and grow into a full-grown plant by tomorrow. It makes no difference if you lavishly water the seed in the hope that it will germinate quickly and grow to maturity in a single day. I promise you, it will not.
Time is one asset that cannot be manipulated. Plant the seed and allow time for it to grow. This reminds me not to rush any process in life that requires time for growth. I’m learning to value the time required for growth. And watching that growth occur in our backyard is extremely rewarding.
2. Nature is therapeutic for the soul. Hands buried in dirt. The fragrance of living plants. Observing insects perform tricks in the garden. It’s an incredibly therapeutic experience. Even though some physical labor is required, the pleasure I derive from gardening far outweighs any strain placed on my body.
3. Nourishment should be continuous. Plants require constant care. This teaches me that self-nourishment is not a one-time event. It should be a continuous procedure. Whatever we care about, whether it’s our bodies, our relationships, or our homes, it should be continuously cared for in order for it to thrive.
4. Never ever ever give up. After several failed attempts at gardening, I was almost convinced I was incapable of planting anything. However, I attempted again and was successful in growing vegetables. This teaches me that even if you fail multiple times at something, you can still succeed. Never, every give up!
Almost none of life’s most delightful moments are planned; rather, it is the spontaneity of life that makes it so delightful. Let us take pleasure in the small things and find joy in the dirt!