tending.

In this early spring {did we really even have a winter?}, I've been even more amazed than usual by nature's simple miracles: seeds rising from the soil - flower buds bursting open - baby birds emerging from tiny beautiful blue eggs enjoying ripe berries straight from the tree - the sweet smell of honeysuckle filling the air. There is wonder all around us, in every moment, if only we can slow down to observe. And this year, it all feels full of so much promise. 

But in the midst of all of this growth and awe, I'm feeling even more aware of the fragility of it all, and of how little control we really have - over anything. There is only this moment after all. That too is wonder inspiring, in its own way.

During one of my morning lazy strolls through the garden, hot cup of tea in hand, I paused to take in the enormous growth and beauty of the two hydrangeas just outside my studio window. They are quite happy in their home, and have really flourished in the past year or two. They were planted five years ago; originally we planted four - one for each of our losses. While it was a novice gardening mistake - there simply was not room for four of these plants to thrive in the space - it saddened me quite a bit to know that only two had made it. Yet, in the next moment, I realized that all is well. What remains is alive and thriving. We carry on with what we do have and we make our way with that. The two remaining plants offer so much beauty and joy. It is what is here now, and it is enough.

This spring has been full with these moments of profound awareness of the life cycle we exist within & the soul work of reconciling it for myself: once again reexamining what - for me - makes for a meaningful life. Perhaps because of this acute awareness, I've been feeling generally overwhelmed with things and busyness that seem to fill up life - while my soul craves slowness, intimate connections, and the work of my hands. 

To find clarity and my own truth, I've been slowing down: embracing necessary self-care, reading, breaking up earth to make room for new growth, planting seeds, watering, deadheading the flowers, enjoying quiety moments at the cutting table, and stitching, stitching, stitching at the end of the day.

This work of tending is healing, connecting me to the here and now, nourishing my spirit. It helps remind me that I want to nurture and be intentional in my connections and relationships with those I love, how these bonds must be tended too. To me, connection with my fellow humankind seems to be the most meaningful part of life: loving, supporting, witnessing those around us.

Yet, I really struggle with how to connect in this electronic age. At times, I feel like I'll be swallowed up by all of the things that require my attention: text messages, phone calls, email, facebook, instagram, flickr, message boards, blogs, and on and on. There are so many opportunities for connection, {and so many peole I want to connect with} - yet it isn't possible - at least for me - to engage in all of them in a meaningful way. Right now, I'm working on figuring it out for myself.

So, do tell me {please}: How do you slow things down for soul work in the midst of a busy, full life? How do you find balance and prioritize what will fill your precious time? How do you nurture your connections with loved ones in this electronic age?

Comments

[Nichole]

beautiful post. and i am right there with you on your journey in so many ways. i've a lot to say about loss and they way you talk about it in this post really resonates. i KNOW just what you mean.

there are so many wonderful women i've had the pleasure to meet through blogging, but dang, it's hard - hard to keep up with it all! for me, it's as simple as choosing to be quiet. usually life chooses for me. though i may continue to read posts, there are times when there isn't the opportunity to comment in a meaningful way.

i've learned though that in "real" life, my dearest friends don't mind my absence from time to time. we are with each other in spirit. sometimes that has to be enough. and i think in a way, the same is true with my blogging friends. or at least it is from my end.

all the best,
nichole

[Carmen]

Beautiful. Poignant. True. Thanks for a thoughtful, honest post.

[mc]

beautiful.
This is a tough one. Sometimes, I feel that connecting via IG and email during the day is necessary (for me) I spend all day long with my girl and don't do too much connecting with others and I feel like I really need it for my sanity. besides the fact that photographing is a much needed creative outlet for me. I also feel like I don't have many friends locally which makes it a bit more challenging to find ways to connect with those I love that are so far away. It is a struggle though, my biggest struggle and challenge is knowing that my girl hates the phone or hates when my attention isnt on her. my husband has made comments that he doesnt want the phone/internet to be a memory of what life was like for her growing up. I think that is the biggest challenge for me. protecting her from the electronic age. does that even make sense? I do enjoy days when I am not connected at all, but then there is the stress of catching up with it, right? im rambling. You have me thinking. thank you for your words. you write so beautifully.