Tending Our Inner Garden for Growth
June is often a month of shedding, releasing, and nurturing new growth. Schools let out, and children let loose. There’s a jacket tossed off here; shoes left over there. We shed our heavier clothing as warmer weather settles in to stay awhile. It’s symbolic of what’s happening all around us.
Everything seems to take on a summer attitude of lightening up. In the natural world, we observe the beginnings of new life as outer layers drop to reveal the seed pod or the burgeoning flower petals beneath. In gardens and flower beds, we remove winter’s coverings, loosen up the soil, remove weeds and decay, take inventory of what survived over the winter, and transplant things to a new spot that brings more sunlight or allows more shade.
We make room for new growth and move things to bring about a transformation into something we believe will be more satisfying, more beautiful, and provide a bountiful harvest. It is all intentionally done. Yet, inside of ourselves – within our garden of the soul, we may retain old ideas that don’t fit what we’re becoming. We may hide new ideas that are percolating in us that promise new growth and more extraordinary beauty. Can we bring our attention and intention to what’s calling us to move forward?
Living in the present and cultivating what is here, right now, is what leads us forward. But we need to let go of worrying about what’s past and our anxiety about the future. We may be holding on or trying to contain things that have outgrown their purpose. Maybe it’s an attitude or an old, tired habit that doesn’t fit any longer.
We often allow what’s past and what’s not yet happened to take us out of the present. We hold on to things that have outgrown their purpose, and we desire things in our lives that require us to change an attitude or how we choose to live, but we aren’t willing to take the necessary steps to bring about change. It’s like keeping an old sweater around that’s lost its shape, has a hole or two, and doesn’t keep us warm; or keeping that piece of clothing that we bought hoping one day, we’d fit into it. But now, it’s been years, and it still doesn’t fit and keeps us from tending and growing what is here, now.
What do we need to weed out? What precious parts of ourselves will we uncover, nurture, and allow to produce new growth or burst into bloom?
We’re coming through a long period of dormancy. We’ve been covered up by isolation and missing some vital nutrients found in the presence of loved ones. We all need shedding and tending. Being intentional about what we plant, water, protect, and nurture will have lasting benefits.
Throughout this summer season, let’s pay attention to what we wish to harvest at summer’s end, and with great care, tend our personal garden for growth.