A Recipe For Physical, Emotional, Mental and Spiritual Self-Care

I love this time of year when the weather gets warmer and the wind kicks up during the days.  There is a cool stillness about the evenings.  It's my favorite time to just sit out back and be silent. That is until the black flies and mosquitoes come.   

At this time of year I feel a nudge to start working in the gardens.

This year I feel a bit like a newbie.  I am adjusting to my new capabilities while working in the gardens.  I do not have the stamina to work steady and hard for hours at a time like I use to.  I spent a few days experimenting and sure enough; I got myself a little routine down!

The first day I worked in 10 - minute intervals.  I copped a patch on one gardens edge and I just took my time pulling weeds.  After 10 minutes I went in doors and rested or napped.  An hour or two later, I repeated the same thing.  The next day I took shorter breaks and each day after - built on this.

Now granted, what would take someone else about 3 minutes I am able to complete in two 10-minute intervals but that is okay. While on this treatment my body demands a particular pace when it comes to physical work.  It’s a practice and one I am still getting familiar with.

Being out in the gardens with the Earth not only makes my body feel good; it also presents an opportunity for me to meditate while I am doing repetitive movements, which is part of my spiritual self-care.  Mentally, being outside, doing something productive where I can see instant results is a positive reinforcement.  Emotionally, gardening allows my body to release stresses and I am able to experience a sense of peace during the course.  Traditionally we say this is because we are connecting with our Mother – the Earth. 

 I remember when I was a very young girl living on my auntie’s farm.  She taught me how everything that we are made of and everything that we need to sustain ourselves comes from the Earth.  Through her I learned the importance of going back to the Earth on a regular bases.  The Earth helps me regenerate and find my balance. Through these teachings I began to learn the importance of giving something back to the Earth as an offering for all that is provided for me to live this good life.

Yesterday, I was able to go a few hours with about six 10 - minute breaks throughout.  I sat in the shade digging up the dirt and cleaned up some old foliage from last year’s harvest of flowers and medicines.  During the breaks I sat back under the umbrella, watched a butterfly moving from flower to flower and I examined my work.  And I smiled. 

Until next time,

Deborah