A story: Your life as a garden

Imagine your life as a garden.

From the moment you are born, you begin working in that garden.

You are its creator!

Over time, you shape different patches, each representing an area of your life: relationships, career, wellbeing, purpose….

As you grow older, some patches flourish with beautiful flowers, while others may be overgrown with weeds or left untended.

Some seeds in your garden are planted by you.

Others are dropped in by visitors. Those are the people who pass through your life, long and short term.

Many seeds, especially in the early days, are planted by your parents. They may have even quickly grown a few tall plants or trees to offer you shelter and protection. This can be certain behaviours, beliefs, or coping strategies that once served a purpose. But not all of them stay helpful.

Over time, something that once felt protective, can grow so large it blocks the light.

One overgrown plant might overshadow your rose patch. A behaviour that now strains your relationships.

Another might drop seeds that spread quickly, crowding out your energy and direction. Possibly without you noticing for a long time.

I love trees, for what they represent. Their strength, their grace, the calmness. But even the most beautiful tree, can become old, ill, or hollow. Some may take up too much space or even pose a threat to your wellbeing.

That’s why it’s important to walk through your garden from time to time.

Ask yourself: Does this still belong here? Is it in the right place? Is it worth keeping?

Sometimes, in order to help a new part of your life bloom, old behaviours or beliefs need to be pruned or gently removed.

But choose carefully. If you cut down something that wasn’t blocking any light, if you are removing the wrong plants, don’t be surprised if the flowers still don’t grow.

In life, if we don’t work on the root of the challenge, we won’t see real change!

Even if we’ve removed something on the surface. The issue might be further below. The root of the problem might be growing in a completely different place.

Be gentle with your neighbour’s garden. You might not understand what their tall plants are protecting, and many are not yours to trim. Also try to make sure, not plant anything in other gardens, that actually doesn’t belong there.

The only garden you can truly care for is your own.

So tend to it with compassion.

Nurture it with patience.

Ask for help when needed.

And trust! Trust in your ability to grow the most beautiful, meaningful garden you can imagine.