Our camellia didn’t bloom last year. I was so sad, because those little red gems appearing at the end of December are such a joy to behold during the dreary west coast winter. It had always been such a reliable bush, and I was concerned about the lack of buds. And then it hit me: I forgot to care for it.
I’d moved the camellia the spring before. It was getting too tall for where I’d planted it, and there was a hole in our garden that the shrub was perfect for. The new spot was ideal: there would be more sunshine and I would get to see it outside our big family room window each day. But I forgot that placement is only one piece of what I needed to do. I moved the camellia, I fertilized it, and I was so happy for the wet spring to give it a good soaking to get its roots down. But then the warm days of summer came, and I plum forgot that this area of the garden wasn’t on our irrigation system.
It was August before I realized the poor thing wasn’t getting enough water. It was clear that the plant was stressed. And I was shocked by how little time it had taken for its branches to become spindly and the leaves more sparse and smaller. I should have realized then that it might not bloom.
Life can be a little like that too, I’ve realized. We know what we should do to care for ourselves. As a bare minimum, we need good food, water, fresh air, exercise, down time, and sleep. For more optimum growing conditions, we need enrichment from relationships and hobbies. We need to grow our minds through reading and discussion. And the nervous system must be tended to with some form of mindfulness practice.
I haven’t even been covering the basics for myself for a long time now, and so it should come as no surprise that I am failing to bloom in the life I find myself planted in. And so, I’m taking some time off work as we start the new year. Six weeks of rest, yoga, meditation, fresh air, and solitude. It’s an extraordinary blessing, and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to put some nourishment into myself and the ground I spend my life planted in.
What about the camellia? I put its garden bed onto our irrigation system last spring. And man, I loved the heck out of that shrub all summer long. The other day I looked outside, and I was overjoyed to be greeted by a lovely red bloom. I must admit, it brought me to tears. And the sight inspired me during this time of rest that I find myself in. We can all grow where we’re planted. But we have to take special care if we want to bloom.
ความคิดเห็น