We are nature

"a little T.L.C. can bring nearly dead plants back to life"

Photo courtesy of Upsplash

As a young woman in therapy, I learned something I’ve carried with me throughout the years.

It’s important to understand our sphere of influence and work within that.

That’s not to say we can’t strive to do great things and stretch the circle within which we operate. Yes… yes, when we can.

But to be most effective and eliminate unnecessary personal stress, working to our capacity with commitment and grace and allowing for the fact that we can’t solve all the world’s problems is a pretty successful strategy.

I may not be able to cure the evils of the world.

Still, I can be kind to a stranger at the market, bring soup to an ailing friend, hug my loved ones often and tell them how much I love them, and try my best to offer something positive and healing in my posts or during a yoga class. I can tend my garden, nurturing nature just as nature nurtures my soul.

I can make it my job to take the bounty I’m offered daily and pass it forward, hopefully reminding others of their blessings.

When I find myself at odds with another, I can continually remind myself that our life experiences mold us. Would I feel as they do had I walked in their shoes?

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In recent weeks, at most every turn, I have encountered or read about the angst people are feeling. It’s a hard time in the world for far too many reasons.

We have the ability to change the world by expanding our perspectives. We all come from different backgrounds, expressing ourselves through different veils. And though we may find ourselves on opposite sides of a debate, be it political, religious, or familial, we shouldn’t underestimate how much we may have in common. If we concentrate on healing, learning, opening to one another, and offering a little T.L.C., the positive possibilities are endless.

I know; I’m a dreamer. And by golly¹, I plan to stay that way, working within what I believe is my sphere of influence.

I want to share these beautiful thoughts from

Karen Davis

in her latest post.

My grandfather was a nurseryman who could make anything grow and bring nearly dead plants back to life. I have a handwritten card he gave me in my teens that says, “It’s amazing what a few weeks of T.L.C. will do for little girls and plants.” Appreciation transmits the energy of love. Finding things to appreciate even in - perhaps especially in - the challenging moments provides that energy of healing and renewal for little girls, plants, and every other being.

As I walk by these fields this spring, I will water them with appreciation. It’s the least I can do. It’s the most I can do. I will water my own heart with appreciation too. I wonder what will grow?

I was so moved by Karen’s words.

I’d like to invite my readers to dedicate Mondays through the end of the year to watering your soul and the souls of those around you. Let’s see if we can create an energy of healing as we wade through these rough waters. I will dedicate my Monday morning cup of thoughts to this project, working to remind and keep us on track.

We have a lot to heal throughout the world. Our thoughts have power, as do our actions.

If you are a Substack writer, please consider sharing this post with your readers to help gain a momentum.

1. My Auntie Lura often used the term “by golly.” I loved her so.