sunlight.

About two years ago I got into gardening.

I throw that term around loosely because I’m not particularly good at it, some of my plants die.

Especially during the terrible, dreadful Tennessee winters.

But, I have managed to keep a lot of them thriving.

I think when I started I wanted something to do with my hands.

Something to quiet the noise…

for like, just 10 freaking minutes.

When I plant or repot, or water, it shuts off my mind.

I’m not worrying about the house, my to-do list, money.

I’m just existing.

With them.

The plants.

With most anything I do, learning about plants takes time and patience.

Patience isn’t really something I’ve come to know over my years.

It’s actually quite difficult for me.

So, I may dream up a big plan.

A garden, or space for my plants. Then, I work on it until other things get in the way.

Obligations. Priorities.

Noise.

Then I let it go.

I forget to water them, I forget them outside when it gets too cold.

And honestly, who am I to take on more?

Who am I to create or buy ten more things I need to take care of, when it already feels like too much?

Something that gives me the great benefit of shutting out the noise, but requires my scarce time and attention.

How do I balance it?

The short answer… I don’t.

Some of my plants don’t make it.

Like some of my paths in life.

The most important lesson that my plants, gardening and growing has taught me…

When you’re not getting what you need, move.

Just like plants move towards the sunlight, always keep your face in the sun.

And when things get really hard, plant your roots so deep that you can take a break a while and come back, because your roots, they’re strong.

If my plants aren’t doing well in this spot, turned this way, in this window..

I move them.

I turn them.

Adjust.

And I think we can all learn from that.