Author: Sheri Denkensohn-Trott
It’s not always easy to look forward, but sometimes it is necessary. Even when it feels impossible. There are plenty of quotes about the one thing you can control is the future as opposed to being able to control things that have already happened. For a lot of people that is a plus because it makes you feel in charge and not just reacting to what others do or say.
When you look forward, one perspective is that you are writing a book and have plenty of empty pages in front of you to fill out however you see fit. It is in your control to change habits, switch jobs, find a new hobby, and the like. It is easy to get stuck in the same routine, but if you keep doing the same thing over and over and don’t find happiness or peace, something must be changed for there to be a new paradigm.
Many times, it is important to slow down and ‘just be.’ Evaluate how you spend your time. What brings you joy? Take some time to be outside with nature. Read a book. Meditate. Deep breathing is always a good way to settle down and go inward. Often this introspection brings revelations that are helpful. It is easy to get on the treadmill of life and forget about the importance of slowing down and not telling yourself that by doing so you aren’t being “productive.”
Of course, it’s not always easy to forget about the past, and sometimes you should not. Most of us have memories that can and should be revisited at times. But we shouldn’t live there. Take some time to stop, figure things out, and move forward.
Well, the flowers on our terrace have pretty much given up the ghost for the most part. The mandevilla never ceases to provide us with long-term joy. It remains full of buds, blossoms, and flowers. The impatiens still look colorful. With the herbs we have, the sage never seems to die and we’re still enjoying basil with mozzarella and tomato, and pesto sauce on pizza! They are winding down for the year though. I don’t blame anything particular; I believe it was a lot of different things combined: excessive heat, lack of consistent rain, and I will admit that they could have been watered better. Also, we didn’t have any begonias this year. They are likely to be back next year as they seem to flourish with the intense morning and afternoon heat in the summer days.
It doesn’t really matter what happened to them, I guess. Part of being a gardener is always thinking about the future; planning what should go where and how many of a particular plant or flower would look good. Anyway, it’s time for chrysanthemums now that it is a little bit cooler out.