Back in the Dirt Again

As the sun and warmth have finally returned to the northeast once again, it's time to get back in the dirt and get those gardens ready.

Living in the Mess

Right now, if I am being quite frank, my garden looks pretty messy. There are broken stakes from last year, seeds from old tomatoes that are starting to germinate in all the wrong places, debris that blew in over the winter, and a fresh round of weeds. Oh, and the fence is collapsing, and I fear the bunnies are about to take over.

People passing by are probably thinking to themselves when is this girl going to clean up her mess?

That being said, I'm feeling pretty optimistic about where things are headed.

As I start year three of the garden and look at the chaos, it reminds me that we often have to start messy to get to something beautiful.

Trusting the Process

When the idea of a large garden originated a couple of years ago, I'm sure many people were scratching their heads. I had never gardened, I had just abandoned my steady stream of income, and I found myself scheming up plans for a 1,750 sq foot garden. I bought over 70 types of seeds, an unassembled fence, and irrigation supplies in the form of what felt like 100 confusing pieces.  From the outside, I'm sure it didn't look promising.

However, in ways I couldn't yet explain, it felt important and meaningful to create this garden. So I researched, I planned, I networked, I dreamed, I worked, I sweated (a lot!), and I trusted. The resources came, the tiny seedlings finally popped out of the earth, and lo and behold, there was more produce than I knew what to do with. The once untouched plot of land had turned into a magic garden.  

It's now year three, and what I couldn't see then that I can see now is the impact this garden has had - the countless mouths it's fed, the passerby conversations that turned into community, and the source of joy and peace it has brought me in ways I couldn't have imagined. And I believe this impact will continue to unfold in ways I still cannot yet see.

Messy Progress

So back to the mess.

What people can't see right now as they walk by this seeming disaster are the 200+ baby seedlings growing under the grow lights, the new, beautiful fence on its way, the overly detailed and color-coded spreadsheets mapping out where everything goes and when, or the ideas still taking shape.

Often, we have to start messy to get to something beautiful.

Reflection

When we follow what feels meaningful to us, allow ourselves to dream, nurture these ideas, put in the work, and trust what is becoming, beautiful things are born. Even if the path doesn't yet make sense to us or those around us.

What in your life looks messy right now but has the potential to soon be beautiful?

What in your life needs nurturing and discipline so that it can grow into what it's becoming?

Where in your life can you find space to dream and have a little fun in the mess?

In what ways is the universe asking you to trust that it will all come together, perhaps in ways you cannot yet imagine?

Keep Dreaming, Keep Nurturing, Keep Believing

If you are in a time of messiness, something beautiful is likely right around the corner. Keep dreaming, keep nurturing, and keep believing.

Happy Gardening,

Sarah