A lesson on setting goals from my passion vine
The power of one thoughtfully planted plant
A couple of autumns ago, I purchased and planted $70 worth of passion vine in a planter staked to some wood. A native plant to Houston, I was told that it would survive the winter and all of the caterpillars that chewed its leaves would have the resources needed to turn into butterflies and create more of themselves, supporting wildlife and beauty in my small Texas yard.
Winter came along with a few freezes, and not a single vine remained green. They were brown, black, and grey, lost to the frost, and I mourned the vision I had of butterflies in my garden.
I bought two $15 passion vines in the spring and placed them in my raised bed, near the spot where the original plant sat. A few weeks later, I noticed stray passion vines growing in tendrils out of different spots in the soil. Passion vines grew out of the ground, several feet away from the raised bed.
Soon, passion vines grew all over the back corner of my garden and I realized the original plant must not have died, but rooted deeply in preparation for spring and came back ready for growth.
Black and red caterpillars emerged on the vines, eating the leaves and growing at an amazing speed. Soon came the orange gulf fritillary butterflies, a daily sight in my garden, and I felt joy each time I saw them flutter around my yard.
I had lamented that my limited time between parenting and work kept me from spending more time tending to my garden as I had in years prior, and it wasn’t the same place of beauty that it had been.
But this became less apparent to me when I saw delicate orange wings cross my gaze every time I looked out a window.
One well-rooted plant had completely transformed my garden.
As I venture into the new year, I’m thinking about the power of one thoughtfully planted plant. In the garden of our mind, one positive change can promote peace, balance, and harmony for the seasons to come.
For well-being in the new year, I encourage you to consider a positive change you want to see in your life. That change is your butterfly. To see your butterfly, you have to plant your passion vine. What is your vine, or the actions you will make to bring about the changes you want to see?
If your butterfly is fitness, for example, your passion vine is eating a balanced diet and being active. If your butterfly is learning a new language, your passion vine is practicing that language regularly.
Whatever your butterfly is, I hope that you choose to invite a change to your life that will enrich all facets of your well-being.
As you plant your vine, experience the seasons, and see changes in your garden, remember to be patient. Like the passion vine in my garden, you may not see the results for sometime. It’s easy to give up during this time, but you have to let the roots of your new plant grow.
Happy new year. I hope your garden flourishes and thrives!
Allow me to inspire your team this February with an interactive POTTING WORKSHOP focused on well-being & community!
Join me in SEATTLE February 22-23 for The North West Flower and Garden Festival! I’ll be leading and participating in events throughout the weekend.
For more personal reflection, check out my guided journal SEASONS OF GROWTH: A JOURNAL FOR WELL-BEING INSPIRED BY TREES
Read my personal growth book inspired my plants HOW TO GROW: NURTURE YOUR GARDEN, NURTURE YOURSELF