This spring, I have taken more interest in our yard. We’ve been here for three years, so it’s time. But it’s such hard work. I’d much rather be on the couch watching Biggest Loser. (Okay, I do see the irony in that.) It’s also confusing to me. My mother-in-law, a Master Gardener, has been patiently teaching me the basics. But to truly understand something, I think you have to jump in and “get your hands dirty.” So, here I go.
So far, I have made one significant discovery. Nurturing a garden is like nurturing your soul. Both take lots of time, hard work and patience. In my quest to grow a beautiful garden, I also hope to grow a beautiful soul. It will be a journey, one I hope you will share with me.
Step One: Clear the Debris.
Our yard is littered with pine cones, sticks, rocks and leaves. If left on the ground, they cover up the grass and prevent the sun, rain and nutrients from getting through to do their jobs. Just the same, negative thoughts litter my mind. They slowly accumulate and crowd out the positive, productive ones. My first step is to get rid of that mess.
Pine Cones: These things are prickly and hurt my hand when I pick them up. I toss each one in the bucket along with all the negative, self-defeating thoughts that damage my self confidence every day. “I’m so lazy and unorganized” – clunk. “I fail at everything” – clunk. “My butt is too big, my hair is brassy and I have a moustache” – clunk, clunk, clunk. Just like the pine cones, these things hurt. But as I dump the bucket by the road, I smile. I clear away those ugly thoughts and feel the sun shine on my soul.
Sticks and Stones: As my son plays in the yard, I tell him not to throw rocks. They might hurt someone. I should take my own advice. I throw mental sticks and stones every day. “Why can’t these people learn to drive?” “That outfit is not working for her.” “I am such a better mother than her. My kid isn’t sprawled on the mall floor looking like a scene from the Exorcist (for now, anyway).” These are embarrassing to admit, but they are there all the same. The pine cones and stones seem to feed off each other. The harder I am on myself, the more I judge others. God says to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Gotta love myself first.
Leaves: If you don’t get the leaves up, they will matt together and cause mold, toxifying your yard. However, if you crush them up, you can use them as mulch or add to your compost. Some negative thoughts can be changed into positive ones, too. “I’m so lazy” becomes “Get out in the yard and rake those leaves!” And “My butt is too big” can be “Woo Hoo! I got a J.Lo booty!”
Cleaning up the yard is taking much longer than I had hoped. I didn’t realize just how much had accumulated over the years. I know it will take time, especially when I have to stop every few minutes to get someone a snack, put on a Band-Aid or play “throw ball.” But I can already see change, and that’s enough to keep me going.
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