You can be a source of hope

A garden anole reminded me of something powerful

All around me is frustration, despair, malaise, indifference, and sorrow. The reasons for the range of emotions is plentiful, and I understand why many people are without hope. Prices are going up while quality is going down. We have to fight to talk to a real person when machines answer the support line. All around us, trees are cut down for storage units and strip malls and everyone I talk to agrees that leaving the trees is the favorable choice. I could go on, but I imagine you know what I mean.

It makes me think of the responsibility we have to inspire love and kindness in each other. One burning candle alone can illuminate a dark space, but one burning candle can light infinite others by sharing the flame that burns from its wick. It’s also a lot harder to blow out one hundred candles than it is to blow out just one.

When our flame wavers, we’re supported by the candles around us that ensure we continue burning bright.

I was reminded of this last week as I was cleaning the garden. I lifted a five gallon bucket off the ground and found three anoles tucked into the space. I didn’t mean to startle them, but two of them scampered away at the sight of me.

I watched the third one run up a nearby tree, and then it surprised me by jumping onto my chest!

Gingerly, I moved the anole from my chest to my hands with the intention of helping it back to the wilderness of the garden.

But the anole wouldn’t let go .

I suspect the anole was drawn to my warmth as it resisted my attempts to help it off me, so I held my hand in the sun for a time and watched the anole bask in its light.

In this moment, I had warmth to share with a creature that benefitted from it. I believe my gift of warmth will make it so the anole is less likely to fear me in the future, and stay close by when the mosquitos come out. The anoles enrich the ecosystem of my garden, and my support of them contributes to our continued shared success.

Appreciating connection in the garden

My garden is a reflection of the greater system we are a part of, and my experience with the anole reminded me that we are invaluable resources to each other. We can be the warmth others need to survive the cold. We can be the shelter that protects others from the storm.

By sharing our gifts in the moment, we ease the strain of the present and invest in our future. Our children and grandchildren will benefit from our service to each other.

I know many people are feeling hopeless right now, but if we lead with hopelessness, we’ll only create more of it. When I’ve felt hopeless in recent years, I’ve tried not to spread it to others. Funny movies, conversations with good friends, and time outside have served as balms and helped me access my flame so I could lights other candles.

We’re strongest when we work together. If you see someone who needs some light today, I hope you share yours with them.

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For more personal reflection, check out my guided journal SEASONS OF GROWTH: A JOURNAL FOR WELL-BEING INSPIRED BY TREES

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, including a book talk, meditation, four plant AMAs, and a container planting showdown!

Allow me to inspire your team this February with an interactive POTTING WORKSHOP focused on well-being & community!

Read my personal growth book inspired my plants HOW TO GROW: NURTURE YOUR GARDEN, NURTURE YOURSELF

My anole friend and I