Gardening
is teaching me about time management and the power of committing a little time
to one task. When I finish it, I reassess my energy and what is next and
determine if I'll keep at it or wrap up for the time being. Either decision is
the right one, depending on the moment.
I'm
also being reminded about the importance of cleaning up after oneself as a
metaphor for life. A good amount of my latest sessions in the backyard are
cleaning up piles of clipped decorative grasses or other weeds that I pulled
last year or the year before.
I
spotted my first snake and knew that these piles are invitations to snakes and
other unsavory “wild life.” Metaphorically, the piles remind me of the
things—emotions, bad feelings, unhelpful habits—that grow bigger when left
unattended.
I
don't feel bad about it. It's cathartic and the hard work will teach me not to
take that approach anymore. Moving forward, I will clean up the yard refuse as
I go. The piles are also visual clutter which has a tendency to weigh down my
mind and energy. No more piles of yard waste unless it's going into my compost
pile.
And
as for the snake, I was proud that I didn’t freak out. I simply stopped what I
was doing, backed up, and gave him some space to do his thing. I needed to get
some water anyway.
I
haven’t seen him since, so my theory about clearing away the piles must be spot
on.
I'm loving all the lessons you are learning through this series! Those piles, left unattended, do seem to grow and house unwanted 'friends' don't they? Literally and metaphorically! Great post, Julie!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading and commenting! I have learned so much this summer!
DeleteNow, this downright preaches. Sistah.
ReplyDeleteClean as you go is something my grandparents were big on. It certainly does apply for more than the kitchen and gardening. Thanks for making the lesson so vivid.
ReplyDelete