15 Lessons Learnt From My Plants
Updated: Sep 9
Gardening, for me, is the solution to most of my problems. If I have a headache - I play in the dirt; if I need to relieve some stress/worry - I repot a plant; if I need to feed my soul and relax - I walk barefoot on the wet grass, and sometimes wet myself with the hose. But there's so much more to gardening than just that. Gardening is a great teacher if only we'd stop to learn.
So, are you a gardener? Do you love gardening? Have you ever planted and nurtured a plant - fruits, vegetables, or flowers? Have you successfully killed a plant or multiple plants? Lastly, have you ever thought about the lessons a plant has taught you? Well, I have. But not until recently.
A few days ago, as I watered my orchids, I started talking to the "Headmaster of the School of Patience" - yes, we flowers-folks talk to our plants, and often name them too. Something I once frowned upon and thought everyone who did it was mad. Alas, look at me now, mad with the rest. Anyway, as I watered, I said, "You know, you really are teaching me patience, cause I should have gotten rid of you a long time ago." As I said those words, it dawned on me that plants are great teachers, and I have learnt a lot in the past few years.
The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul. ~ Alfred Austin
I've always said that the Lord has a funny sense of humour.
When I started gardening, I figured He thought it would be hilarious for me to fall in love with the hobby because He knows very well that the first lesson, and probably the most important one, would be for me to learn patience. And, what better way to learn patience than with these plants?
So, what are the lessons I've learnt so far?
1. Patience
A plant is going to be a plant - it will blossom, bloom, bear fruit, or mature only when it chooses to do so. Therefore, I can choose to patiently wait on them, or I can frustrate myself daily by being overly anxious and impatient. Believe me, I have frustrated myself repeatedly and cussed the poor plants for not doing what I wanted, when I wanted it. Now, I wait, and then get super excited when something does happen. Have I learnt patience in other aspects of my life? Hmmm...not so much...work in progress.
2. Growth Takes Time, Consistency, and Dedication
I get up almost every morning and water my plants. I spend extra time with them on the weekend - weeding, feeding, extra watering, pruning, etc. I check them for bugs and fungus. I make sure they are doing just fine. When I remain consistent and dedicated to this routine, which takes time, I am rewarded with growth - lush gardens, beautiful blooms, and food. However, when I am not consistent and/or dedicated, they look at me like the evil witch, and they do not produce as they should. This is the same for our lives - it takes time, dedication, and consistency for us to grow and flourish.
3. Learn From Your Mistakes
So you've killed a few plants by overwatering or not watering enough, or by having them in the wrong location? No worries, that's fine. It took me many dead plants to realize that if I keep doing the same things repeatedly, without learning and adjusting, I'm gonna keep killing the plants. Same with life. We all make mistakes, whether we learn from them or not is what makes the difference.
There is no gardening without humility. Nature is constantly sending even its oldest scholars to the bottom of the class for some egregious blunder.~ Alfred Austin
4. Adaptability & Resilience
Plants have an amazing way of adapting to their environment and are resilient in most situations. They are survivors. Some grow deeper and thicker roots to withstand varying weather conditions, while others emit scents and saps that ward off predators (I wonder if I can do this...hmmm). You may even notice that your plant is growing in a certain direction, maybe towards the sunlight or shade. They are not defined by who owns them and how they are being taken care of. They may droop and wrinkle when not watered enough. Or they may stop blooming if overwatered. Nevertheless, they adapt and become more resilient. We are much like plants. When exposed to the elements, we put up our shield, fight back, learn to survive, adapt, and become resilient.
5. Plants Thrive in the Right Environment
Put a plant in the right environment, and it grows magnificiently. Put a human in the right environment, and voila, they too grow magnificiently.
A garden requires patient labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them. ~ Liberty Hyde Bailey
6. There's Beauty in Everything
"Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it." ~ Confucius. As destructive as a caterpillar can be to your garden, their transition into a butterfly is so delightful to watch. In life, not all situations will be palatable, but if you look hard enough, you will find that little glimmer of beauty.
7. Diversity is Key
Can you imagine if you planted the same thing throughout your garden? Wouldn't that be boring? As they say, "Variety is the spice of life." Planting varied things throughout my garden has allowed me to enjoy blooms and foods at different times of the year. I get to have new experiences with each plant - how they grow, and what their needs are. I'm fascinated with the different sizes, shapes, colors, heights, and smells. The same holds true for our lives. If there isn't some form of diversity happening in your life, you may be living a boring one. Just saying.
8. Abundance & Sharing
Luke 6:38 says, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” I've found that the more I pour into my plants and give of their produce, the more they give to me. Plus, there is something absolutely magical about sharing. In life, you should be willing to give of yourself - time, money, talents, resources, and self. The more you give, the more you receive. However, this doesn't mean that you should let yourself be used and/or give of yourself until you have nothing left for you.
9. Appreciate the Small Things
It may only give you one bloom or a single fruit today. Appreciate it. You never know what tomorrow may bring.
10. Perspective
We are not always right. Our opinion of how we think things ought to go is not always how they should. Our perspective might be that the plant will do well inside; the plant knows that it will do better outside, basking in the sunlight. This is a valuable lesson that can be useful in other areas of our lives. As Dan Brown said, "Sometimes a change of perspective is all it takes to see the light."
11. Let Go
Just like how we prune plants to get rid of dried leaves and stems so that they can grow, the same is true of us as well. We also need to prune ourselves - let go of the things that no longer serve us so that we may grow.
12. Solitude is Bliss
Solitude, "The state or situation of being alone." ~Oxford Dictionary. I savor my solitude, which is most blissful after a few hours spent in the garden. This quote sums it up best, "The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul." ~ Alfred Austin
13. Expect the Unexpected
Sometimes God has a whole different plan ahead. I remember setting papaya seeds once. The seeds caught, but none of the plants survived. I was devastated. A few months later, while weeding a garden bed, I saw a little tree growing. I wasn't sure what it was because I hadn't planted anything there. A few weeks later, I realized it was a papaya tree. I got excited and started to water (and fuss over) the plant. Suffice it to say, I have eaten and shared fruits from that tree, which to this day is still going strong (click here to check out the first fruit).
Sometimes, our lives can be a series of unexpected events that lead to great things. Be patient, accepting, and nurturing. Remember, if it's God's plan, you have nothing to worry about.
14. Learning is Continuous
Every single day I learn something new about my plants. Not to mention the many ah-ha moments! I'm even more curious when I get a new plant, when once again Google becomes my best friend. We should always be learning, no matter how insignificant a lesson we think it is; it is still a lesson.
15. Nourish Yourself
Have you ever noticed how a plant grows toward the sun if you put it in a place that is too dark? It's seeking nourishment, aka sunlight. There are some plants that, after blooming continuously they go into remission, and no matter what you do, they will not bloom until they are good and ready; they are replenishing their soul. Just like plants, we too need to be nourished. We need to stop and feed our spirit and replenish our soul. We need to nourish ourselves in order to flourish.
In The End
If you've never planted anything before, try it today. Trust me, even if you kill a few, the euphoric feeling when it does blossom, bloom, or produce is so worth it in the end.
A garden delights in the senses, and you should too - the smells, the beautiful sights, birds chirping, or if you're lucky enough to hear the humming of a butterfly (I have); the feel of wet grass on your bare feet; the sense of relief after getting down and dirty with your hands in the soil; not to mention the pleasure of tasting the fruits of your labour.
I know my senses come alive when I become one with my garden; it's a feeling that quiets the mind and feeds the soul.
What life lessons has your gardening taught you? Do share. I'd love to hear.
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