Planting Seeds

“By one’s planting seeds of goodness, eventually something good grows.” - Jack Kornfield

When my fiancée was very unwell it was at a crucial time to plant seeds.  It was a welcome distraction and I relished the chance to focus on a new beginning.  I was in awe of the tiny size of some of them and as I planted them, I did not believe anything would happen.  How could anything come from something so seemingly small and insignificant?  As you can observe, my mind judged the size of the seed and its capacity for anything good, let alone edible, to come from it.  I overrode my doubts and continued to plants rows of various varieties of seeds and even managed to stay in the present moment long enough to enjoy the experience.

Even though I am no longer responsible for this role, thankfully he is now fully recovered, I am reminded of this experience when I eat our salad that he is now lovingly caring for.  They were seeds of hope that I planted at a challenging time and they remind me of the power of loving-kindness practice and meditation.  I experience it as a seed of goodness that I plant to care for myself and others that I love and care for as well as those I do not know and even extends my awareness to the world at large, to the universe and to love that is at the heart of this practice.

“... I have nurtured a discipline and practice that has helped me to grow and enjoy the benefits of.”

Rachel Podger

However worried, stressed or anxious I am, I find it helpful to remind myself of this time and to the goodness that I planted literally and spiritually.  It gives me strength and a feeling of space and freedom that I do not experience when I allow myself to dwell on the what ifs.  It also reminds me that I have nurtured a discipline and practice that has helped me to grow and enjoy the benefits of. 

I am eternally thankful to those who have helped and continue to help me on my journey.  Their love reminds me to water and feel grateful for the hope and sunshine of my heart and soul, which helped me to sow and nurture these seeds that I had little hope of seeing growth and nourishment from.