Messages From My Flowers
“Since by definition learning is change, when you learn nature’s lessons, you are changed.”
Image Credit @julieblake
I sit on my deck in the mountains watching my flowers: petunias, geraniums, daisies, moss rose, dianthus, salvia, marigolds, snapdragons, begonias, pansies, and several dainty Colorado blossoms whose names I don’t know. I’ve spent hours observing their beauty and patterns of behavior. I’ve learned much about life and myself from being with my flowers. Here’s what I’ve learned:
It’s hard just to “be.” I sit on the porch swing with my cat Smokey, who’s curled up beside me, lulled to sleep by the gentle movement of the swing. I reach for my cell phone to check the news and social media postings. I do that too often because sitting and doing nothing is hard. My flowers are present, but I am not. I’m not taking advantage of their calming effect and exquisiteness. I can’t take in the beautiful purple hues and vibrant reds or smell the sweet aroma of the petunias when I’m preoccupied and not present in nature. John Burroughs reminds me of the benefit of being with my flowers: “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” Lesson learned: Ditch the cell phone to be in the present moment.
A balanced life is vital to thriving. Because I live where the deer are plentiful and visit often, most of my flowers require being out of harm’s way, which means living on the upper deck for them. Many of them are in oblong planters that straddle the deck railing. Since their little faces gravitate toward the sun, and to stay as symmetrical and balanced as possible, the planters need to be turned end-for-end periodically, allowing each plant to soak up the sunshine and be the best it can be. Dave Davies has said, “We need balance. We need to balance our inner life with our outer life. Nature is always sitting there waiting to help us, but we need to do the work.” Lesson learned: To live a balanced life, give equal attention to spiritual, physical, intellectual, and emotional needs.
It’s important who is next to you. While most of my flowers live on the deck, I have some near my front door. I discovered the deer aren’t crazy about marigolds, so I planted marigolds on each side of my geraniums, as the marigolds keep the deer away and protect the geraniums. The quote by Epictetus pretty much says it all: “The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.” I’ve heard many stories from patients whose friends are chronically negative or believe it’s helpful to share horror stories of relatives with cancer. Of course, that is not helpful. Most are familiar with Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” Equally important is who is with you on the journey. Lesson learned: It’s important to choose the company you keep but also the ones to avoid.
Nature therapy, often called ecotherapy, is being in nature to boost growth and healing, especially mental health. Experts in the field report it can reduce blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. My flowers are my therapy. The black velvet petunias – new to me this year – remind me to seek new ideas and adventures. The tiny orange moss rose next to the double pink and white petunia reminds me that each flower or person is a gift and more than enough. The jam-packed planter reminds me there’s room for everyone. Yes, there are many messages from nature and my flowers.
Be still, and the earth will speak to you. ~ Navajo proverb
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul. ~ John Muir
Leave feedback for the author here. (Comments are not posted online.)