This
to me is a symbol of growing compassion. Why?
Well, I’m a little bit of an introvert, and although some
days I receive energy from interacting with people, other days I absorb more
energy from the quiet rustling of trees and
the tranquility of being alone in
the grass.
the tranquility of being alone in
the grass.
I
never tire of interacting with nature—even in the skin-drenching, cold,
awakening rains of spring or the thick, burning heat of midsummer—because to me
it is the manifestation of God and His creation. I can be my comfortable self in nature and God will shine
his sunny and windy and rainy love upon me in equal measure. I
still love people; sometimes I just need to love them from a distance.
[Gods Glory!]
So when I am striving
to cultivate plants or simply exist respectfully in the midst of them, my
purpose is twofold: 1. With every photograph of gorgeous plant I take (oh so many!), I am expressing my
appreciation and awe at the complexity of God’s design; And 2. I am exercising
my muscles of compassion for my fellow humans. (Some days the workout seems
harder than others!).
The way I see it, we are all connected. Not just people to
people, but people to earth, and even generations to generations connect across
time. By planting in, and investing in the landscapes around me, I am investing
in not only present beatification and fresh summer veggies, but also future
generations who will inherit whatever we leave behind. We connect with the past and the future
through nature, by experiencing
the hard work that our ancestors have wrought, and by improving upon the
conditions for our children. Isn’t that cool? Nature is such a universal
element that all peoples can profit from it, and find a sense of the spiritual
therein. So I say, enhancing nature enhances the spirit!
And so, with these two humble sticks that are in fact Apple
trees, I am growing my spirit and my compassion for the world at large. Just as others may seek to change
people’s lives when they serve others in teaching, nursing, I seek to change
the outcome of humanity’s future by changing the landscape of the land!
I grafted these apple trees just last spring, so this is the
first time I’m seeing them develop. This is only the beginning! I am not
planting the apple trees for immediate joy--though I still receive weekly
satisfaction watching more leaves, branches, and now tiny new apples emerge—but
for the long-term satisfaction of my mother’s grandkids to enjoy. And maybe
their kids!
But
wait, you say you don’t have your own apple trees? No yard to put them in? (not
even your mothers? Harness what you do have. Go ahead, pick the
low-hanging fruits! You have the power of the sun, and the wind and the rain! Dry
your clothes outside on a nice day.
Or if you’re feeling ambitious you make a solar oven! And after
all that hard work, enjoy some tea, brewed in the sun! J We are fortunate in
the Western World to have an abundance of water; yet it is still a precious
resource to be guarded. Collect
rain water for your gardens, and consider using drip hoses around your plants—it
uses less water AND delivers it more directly to where the plants need it most,
in the roots.
And of course, whenever and wherever possible, plant things!
Let them grow! Encourage green leaves to help the earth and heal people’s
souls. (You can ask for help if your thumbs look a little blackish, there are
plenty of growing resources out there, and garden friends to be made!)
And I bet, by the time my apple trees really get crankin’, I
will be filled with the spirit of compassionate giving, and ready to turn all
the energy from nature into energy with people! Then I can share the fruits of my labor and nature’s
compassion with my neighbor! I can’t wait!
Chelsea Powell grew up in Dayton and enjoyed the experience of The Miami Valley
School. She proceeded to study architecture and horticulture at U.C.,
helping to start a garden in downtown Cincinnati. She now continues her
search for good design with various plants, people, and projects in
Southern Ohio.
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