Photo By Jeanne Aguilar
In my heart, Mother’s Day marks the beginning of longer days and spring planting. I love going to the greenhouse to feel the warm, moist air and to see the new plants come in. I always buy more then I have the energy to plant; there is something about the smell of the soil, the bright green of the foliage and the promise of flowering buds that I just can’t help myself. This year I even bought a wisteria that I had absolutely no business buying.
As I was digging holes for the purple clematis and the Japanese honeysuckle, I was working in an area of the garden that was already highly saturated with water. The soil was compact and had the consistency of very wet clay rather than loose inviting soil. Tired of digging in clay and in my desire to get the plants into the ground quickly, I made the hole just large enough for the plant to fit, knowing full well that the recommended space should be 2x the size of the pot.
I really do understand that the roots need space, good soil and proper drainage in order to not just survive, but thrive. I hoped against hope that these new plants would be able to make the most of this unwelcoming environment and grow strong with amazing flowers.
As I was thinking about my own spiritual growth this past week, I saw the vision of my new clematis trying to create a home in an unwelcome, too small, already saturated area and I wondered if that was what I was doing to my soul’s growth as well. Have I created such a complicated, busy lifestyle that I am trying to shoehorn meditation time into the too small, already saturated space that I have set aside? Am I spending so much time trying to create my spiritual/energetic business that I am taking my emphasis off of the things that matter most, my family and my own spiritual growth?
In my desire to know everything NOW, I am dabbling in 4 different courses, spending valuable time spreading my attention much too thin. Are these courses I want to complete nothing more than distractions or weeds in my garden, choking out the healthy plant of spiritual growth?
It is time for me to either sleep less, or re-evaluate the complexities that I call life and make some changes. It is time to drain the bog in my brain of excess standing energy and ideas. It is time to turn over the soil, take a deep breath, be still and nourish that part of me that is open and accepting to Spirit and Spirit’s stories and lessons.
Happy update: The new clematis is doing great 2 weeks after it was planted! Apparently growth can take place, even when it is expected in an environment that is not optimal.