Time spent outdoors in nature, whether swimming in the sea or walking through the woods, is truly a sacred gift that keeps on giving. There’s always a new lesson to be learned, or new artistry that the eye has yet to discover. Each moment strengthens our bond with the natural world, reminding us that we are in fact nature too. Here are five profound lessons I’ve learned from spending time outdoors in my garden:
1️⃣ “It’s out of your control.” You can nurture and care for and protect, but some things are going to thrive, and others simply won’t. This is a lesson in letting go.
2️⃣ “You cannot have it all.” Eating seasonal foods means you aren’t getting carrots in the heat of summer or watermelon in the dead of winter. A lesson in appreciation.
3️⃣ “Growth takes time.” Progress is microscopic and nothing happens overnight. A lesson in patience.
4️⃣ “Failure is a pit stop on the path to success.” Failure can mean you’re trying something new or introducing a new skillset. Failure can mean you’re a little rusty and need more exposure. The only TRUE failure is if you give up entirely or decide to never try again. Everything else that you might consider “failure” is actually just a natural part of the process of growth and learning. Just because a crop doesn’t thrive in this season, it doesn’t mean you’ll never succeed at growing it in the future. A lesson in perseverance.
5️⃣ “Nature wants for nothing.” Everything that’s needed is ever present in due timing. Things that die back today, bloom again tomorrow. Rain quenches the thirst of all life forms. So why do we spend our time worried about trivial inconveniences? Everything we need is already here — just look around. A lesson in contentment.
Keep going, keep growing! 🌿