How the natural patterns and life cycles of nature reflect our own life experiences
I’ve basically been living outside since spring and it has had a positive effect on my moods and wellbeing. Being outside in nature feels like a consistent reminder of what life really is – a cycle of what was, what has begun, what is, and what has now ended. And it’s all beautiful.
My family and I recently moved to the family farm and were gifted with a beautiful outdoor space full of trees, shrubs, perennials, and garden space. I’ve been on a learning curve to care for the existing space. Here are my thoughts on how green spaces are relevant and healing to our life experiences:
1.) Death of a plant is never the end. Whether another round of the same plant surfaces in spring or the plant provides nutrients back into the soil. In life, one opportunity or moment might end but another will always present itself. You need to nurture the soil in the interim. Pull the weeds, maybe break up the ground, pour in extra nutrients or plant new seeds and then sit back and watch what blooms next.
2.) Plants take time to grow. Some need more support, nutrients, and love during specific seasons. Some grow, bloom and die more quickly while some have a longer lifespan. Real growth and establishment take time. Similar for us, we need the grace and understanding for ourselves and others who might be in a stuck or challenging point in their life where more support and love is needed. Not everyone grows at the same pace.
3.) There are moments when it’s required to do minimal pruning and times when extensive pruning is essential to the plant’s health. You may not see regrowth right away or blooms for a season or two, but rest assured the blooms come back more vibrant and lusher than before. Don’t be afraid to scale back on some of life’s expectations and opportunities whether minimally or extensively. We need the quiet, slow periods to regenerate and thrive in our productive times.
4.) Don’t take more than you need. Leave some flowers for the bees. Let things go to seed so you and others can reap the benefits in future seasons. I think this can be applied in many ways – just ask yourself, “how much do I actually need?”
5.) When you transplant a tree, it goes through a period of stress and shock in its new location. It can take up to a year for it to truly establish its roots. It might seem like it’s gone backwards but in time it will spend all its energy on its new branches and leaves. Much like life’s biggest transitions – moving towns, starting a new career, a family. Life transitions take patience and the confidence to know you’re not going backwards; you’re just establishing your new roots. This takes time.
Nature doesn’t hurry. Everything is done in its own time. Unfortunately for us, we try to be so efficient and productive that we can be hard on ourselves. For not nailing it the first time, for not creating big results in the first few seasons of a project, a new role, or in a new town. Real growth and health take time and patience.
So nourish what is, take time to plant the seeds, and soon you’ll harvest more than you sought out for in the first place.
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