Finding Faith Within: Grow Our Inner Garden
Just as a flower garden requires care and attention to bloom, so does the faith within each of us. There is a reason our bodies follow the patterns of the earth and the changing of the seasons. We are intricately linked to this planet, our home. Our bodies and minds feel the tug of the moon just as the oceans do. We respond to the sunshine just as a new seedling yearning for its nourishment and vibrance. In this segment, we explore ways we can grow our inner garden through each season of the year, and each season of our lives.
Establishing Your Garden
In late winter or early spring, we prepare the soil, tilling and amending to create the most nutrient-rich foundation possible for our garden. In spring we plant the seeds and marvel as little green shoots and sprouts begin to appear. In summer, as flowers blossom into color and vegetables show the first signs of production, we tend to weeds and make sure we provide water and nourishment to maintain the health of our plants. In fall, we focus on those plants that blossom in the cooler temperature, and appreciate their profusion of autumn golds and reds.
In the same way, we have seasons in our lives that require somewhat similar steps and attention. In our youth, we prepare the soil for our garden, creating a solid foundation in which we can grow and thrive. In our early adulthood, we plant the seeds of who we will become and, over a few decades, watch them sprout to life. In midlife, we water and weed our garden, watching which plants thrive and which do not, sometimes replacing those plants that don’t seem to fit in our patch of life anymore. In our senior years, we reflect on a lifetime of growth and experiences, and enjoy the fruits of our lifelong journey.
Just as with any garden, when we grow our inner garden, there are a few pillars of care that are vital to success. Let’s take a look at a few of the critical elements.
Water is essential
Adequate hydration is crucial for regulating body temperature and preventing overheating. Water also prevents dehydration, which supports cognitive functions, as even mild dehydration can lead to cognitive impairment. Water supports digestion and nutrient absorption by facilitating the breakdown of nutrients and their conveyance throughout the body. Water also plays a pivotal role in the body's natural detoxification processes by assisting in waste product elimination. Adequate hydration contributes to joint health by supporting the production of synovial fluid, which lubricates joints and diminishes the risk of joint pain and injury. Drinking 6-8 ounces of water first thing in the morning is akin to giving our body an invigorating internal shower that helps us to rehydrate after hours without fluid intake. This can also kickstart our metabolism, providing an initial boost of energy, and morning hydration is particularly effective in flushing out toxins that have accumulated overnight. Water can also help maintain skin elasticity and overall skin health.
Stress is a plant killer
You may have seen plants with heat stress in the midst of a Georgia summer, or leaves that curl and discolor because of heat stress. When the heat is on – really on – plants need some special focused attention. Just as people do. When you feel the stress ratchet up in your life, it’s time to pay special attention to self-care. Now is the time to delve into mindfulness practices, EFT, gentle exercise, and healthy meals that nourish the body and soul and help you maintain equilibrium. It’s important to note that stress comes in many forms. We know all too well about work stress, or trying times in relationships, or stress over money. The “bad” stress may seem omnipresent at times, unshakeable and fatiguing. But stress can also be in the greatest pleasures in life as well - we may be planning a big, beautiful vacation that we’ve been looking forward to, or we might be moving into our dream home. These are wonderful events, but they, too, are sources of stress. We think less about the “good” stress in our lives, but our bodies react similarly to any form of stress, regardless of what value we assign. And, if we don’t tend our inner garden, especially at these times of peak stress, we may find ourselves in a state of adrenal fatigue.
Change is liberating
If you’re here with me in midlife, you likely already know a thing or two about culling what no longer serves us in our life mission. Just as a gardener prunes plants to allow for healthier growth, we must also remove what no longer serves us. This may be as simple as altering certain behaviors, creating new habits, or cleaning out the closet. At times, though, we may need to remove larger segments, like a career that leaves us drained rather than fulfilled, a relationship that doesn’t support us, or beliefs that hold us back rather than helping us to flourish. Perhaps, that is what you face now. Old habits, nostalgia, fear of failure or judgment from those around us, even the loss of chunks of how we self-identify - these can hold us back from making essential changes that can improve our overall health and yield a happier and healthier outcome.
When you’re feeling stuck, try this Circle of Life exercise. The wheel consists of 12 regions representing different facets of life. By marking how fulfilled or unsatisfied we are in each, we discern a picture of the overall health of our inner garden. Keying off of the lowest-ranked areas first, we begin to focus on what is holding us back, and what is keeping us stuck or bogged down in those aspects of life. We often find that long-held beliefs act as barriers to expansion, and create limitations rather than supportive foundations. These beliefs are deeply embedded in our self-identity, and we feel strong resistance to releasing them. Look for the areas where you feel most resistant – those are the richest fields, where lies the most potential for profound progress toward your authentic self.
Then, look at possible small steps to implement change. Just as tending a garden is a daily process, growing our inner garden must be also. Simple, small, steady changes are the most sustainable way to grow your inner garden. Release who you have always been, embrace who you are now, and who you wish to become. Embrace change by letting go of what weighs you down.
In the garden of life, each season has its purpose and requires regular attention and care. Just as plants need water, nurturing, and sometimes a little thinning out, we can apply these same principles in our lives. As we grow our inner garden, we can cultivate a sense of purpose and can ensure our faith and personal growth blossom, just like a well-tended garden.
In the next blog, we will discover how powerful acceptance can be in moving us forward, closer to our goals, dreams, and truest self.
