Once again….the weeds (and wildflower garden) have lessons to teach. I’ve been gone pretty much full time from my home Esperanza in Taos, NM on Hondo Mesa for a little over two years.
In two years of neglect, a lot can happen in a yard that used to be lovingly tended on a regular basis.
Opportunistic weeds come in and threaten to take over….They call to the other weeds….”Grow here…it’s bad soil and doesn’t get much water!” Wildflowers die because of the harsh climate and no water. Old growth and death take over.
The climate here is unforgiving, and yet beautiful. It’s rough and dry sometimes in the summer, and cold in the winter.
There are places where the weeds and the flowers are so tightly clumped that I opt to leave the weeds, in order to have the beauty of the flowers.
There are a plethora of thorny trees that take over if allowed.
And yet, I persevere.
I work on one part of the yard, and one issue and then move to another part of the yard, so no part feels neglected.
It’s meditative time.
Time to reflect.
Esperanza called me back to pull weeds. Her weeds and MY weeds.
Those “things” that no longer belong in my life. People, things, beliefs and thoughts.
I move from place to place in the yard and listen to the messages.
“Even though you haven’t been ‘watering and tending’ your spiritual garden, Paula, doesn’t mean that you can’t come back even more beautiful than before. It takes daily practice, daily weeding, water and love.”
“Watch your thoughts, because much like the opportunistic weeds that call to the other ones, so too, what you are thinking will multiply.”
“Sometimes, like the tight clumps of weeds mixed with the flowers, you have to learn to take the ‘good’ with the ‘bad’.”
“It’s time to cut out those in your life that are thorny, and damaging to you, thoughts, patterns and people.”
“Work on one part of what you are trying to eliminate from your life, and when that gets overwhelming, go to the next thing. It doesn’t have to be done all at once. Take your time, see what needs attention, and do that.
Nature….sigh….such a teacher.
Be quiet, and listen to your heart and your yard….the answers are there.
Yes, Esperanza, I needed to pull weeds…I needed to get rid of patterns that no longer serve me. I needed to do this work. I’ve been avoiding it, because it felt overwhelming. But, much like your oasis that had been neglected, I know there is beauty to be seen, experienced and enjoyed.
“I” have to do the work….no one can do it for me.
Blessings.
