What's growing in your heart?

Garden photos & metaphors for in-between

Today I spent some time in my garden. It’s not quite time to clear it out for winter. It’s still giving many gifts. Some of the zinnias in my garden continue to bloom, and I cut a small bouquet for the house. Our tomato plants are also still producing. The lavender looks lovely. And the pale pink flowers of the Japanese anemone are also giving a show. Although it’s supposed to remain in the 40-50s for now, a hard frost could end the summer-into-fall splendor anytime. And that’s okay. There will be others splendors for our delight.

The things I cultivate in my garden are simple and also very beneficial. I toss a handful of zinnia seeds into a patch of earth and enjoy their vibrant colors from June to October. I was thinking similarly of the things we cultivate in our hearts and minds and daily practices. What are those simple actions and attitudes that bear abundant harvest? Attitudes like gratitude, joy, and delight. Actions and practices are more individual but maybe include things like reading, journaling, reflection, meditation, prayer, spending time in nature, listening to music, dancing, long walks, etc. There are also the relationships we cultivate and nurture. And remember the cultivating and nurturing of our very selves, mind and body. Rest and relaxation, good food, hydration, sleep, etc. Some of these are not exactly simple. And we recognize the importance of effort in cultivating all good things.

Carrying my metaphor further, I was thinking about the in-between space. There’s a season for zinnias. Roughly June to October, as mentioned above. Our peak fall color will soon come and go. It may be too that the things we cultivate in our hearts and minds and daily practices have their seasons. Their beginnings and endings perhaps. Some relationships are for a season, for time at particular job or at a certain phase of life. Some practices or hobbies or preferences (clothing? decor? food?) may also be for a season. We may outgrow them. Or want to try something new. Of course that doesn’t extend to those enduring relationships that we maintain with the people closest to us. And it doesn’t extend to attitudes like gratitude and delight. Still, all things change. And we can’t change the fact that all things change.

There’s a quote I heard on a podcast, and I just looked it up. It’s attributed to J. Krishnamurti, the Indian philosopher and spiritual teacher. “I don’t mind what happens.” We *will* mind what happens. Or at least I know I will. However, we can cultivate in our hearts more acceptance for change and impermanence and the ebb and flow of life. Part of the practice for me is continuing to live more in the present moment. It’s a struggle for sure. I’m prone to think sometimes about what was and a whole lot about what will be. I’m trying to notice more of what IS.

An intention this week is to be more mindful of what we’re cultivating in our hearts and minds.

An intention this week is to stay more in the present moment.

An intention this week is to “not mind what happens” as much as we typically do.

Thanks for reading.

Gratefully,

Mary