Why Do We Garden?

There is something beautiful about spending time in a garden. Over the years it has become my sanctuary. Whether I'm scattering seeds or pruning a bush, I always feel peaceful and strengthened after time spent in the garden. It has allowed me to process life events, come up with solutions to problems, and spend hours talking to God. It's in a garden that I breathe most freely.

It's also in a garden that you can learn the truth about hard work and perseverance. You see, oftentimes your original plan does not work, there is failure. Sometimes a beautiful bush becomes the favorite meal of passing deer, or an unexpected late frost takes out tender greens. In these instances, you can either give up or try again. I choose to try again; I choose to persevere. I hope you do too. I hope you don't give up. I hope you dirty your hands, spend some time processing life, and breathe deeply of nature. For in this you will learn to breathe freely, to find peace and beauty, to strengthen your soul for whatever comes. 

When we garden, we become more intune with nature and with ourselves. A 2022 article in Healthline states that there are eight main ways being outside benefits us. Some of these include: better quality of sleep, improved sense of well-being, and increased willingness to exercise. I don't know about you, but I appreciate improvements in all three of these areas.

So get outside! Start planning a garden. Perhaps it will start small. It might be a potted flower on your front porch, or a tiny herb garden in the backyard. The size doesn’t matter, what matters is the intentional decision to get outside and begin. Your body will thank you, nature will welcome you, and beauty will abound.