Becoming a Gardener

I approached the garden, hoping that in it I would be able to produce some beautiful plants in it. But there were just weeds – or weeds were all that I could see. There were actually a few healthy little plants in there, but until I took the time to look for them in their hidden spots I was just overwhelmed by weeds.

Once I paid attention to the plants and worked to improve their conditions – soil, water, fertiliser – they began to look stronger. Then I added new seeds, and day by day gave them my attention and nurtured them, waiting to see if they would grow. It was hard to keep up my efforts consistently, hard not to get disappointed when seeds didn’t grow, hard not to let my disappointment discourage me and stop me trying.

Ultimately, persistence and constant attention produced an abundant harvest, which flourishes in the new conditions. Though there are often setbacks – bad weather, or lack of attention on my part – I am managing to keep up the work and the garden gets better and stronger every year.

The garden of which I speak is, of course, my mind.

The weeds are the negative thoughts and attitudes which choked my growth until I attended to myself and what is important to me and good for me. Taking my attention away from the negative thoughts killed the weeds. Paying attention to love, beauty, generosity and courage – wherever I encountered them in the world around me – sowed vigorous growth of useful and beautiful plants. Bit by bit, through persistence and repetition of these resilient attitudes, the good plants have replaced the weeds.

I am a gardener. And my garden is beautiful and worthwhile.