Much of life can be explained or understood through the simple metaphor of a garden. It’s why I choose to focus on cultivating my life.
As I worked on my hands and knees this morning, the garden seemed applicable to virtually every area of my life. Below is the first of these simple lessons. Stay tuned for others to come.
Control is Illusory
Nature abhors a garden. – Michael Pollan
The natural world does not include ordered rows of any kind of living things. Not in a garden, an office, or anywhere in our lives. Order must be taught, and it’s important for people to live and work together harmoniously…
It’s easy to forget in modern, western society that our natural state is wild. That there are things beyond our control is surprising, especially with the overwhelming amount of our lives that bend to our will, our programming, and our personalized settings.
Seeking to control the uncontrollable is a source of stress. If you’ve seen the gardens of Versailles you know that controlling nature can be done, but forcing any living thing to conform will only last for so long – only until you let up, even just a little.
The constant, relentless assault of dandelions and dollar-weed in my garden is a daily reminder right outside my window of the uncontrollable element in life. I’ve concluded that working to achieve a life with less rigid boundaries (allowing some weeds here and there) and more flexibility is much more satisfying than trying to keep every last thing under control.
What do you think?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
So so true… at least from what I’ve experienced. When I thought I had control of how my life would turn out, I was miserable. When I just let go to follow my “inner compass” my life started to change for the best… I became happier. I found myself laughing again… and enjoying public health work for the first time in years. And, I’m sitting outside on the steps of my cute little hotel in the Philippines with geckos chirping around me while I type this. I’m going to work my butt off, sweat like a fool, be confused and frustrated tomorrow with work… but I am still smiling because I love what I am doing.
Control? Control the amount of control you enforce in your life…
I like that, “control the amount of control you enforce in your life…” Trying to control everything takes a lot of energy that’s probably better used elsewhere and also takes some of the fun and serendipity out of life! I find that I’m a lot happier too when I silence my inner perfectionist by whatever means necessary! Have fun!
Oh my
i left being in control behind after trying to have perfect music programs & stressing so much that I got sick, or being frustrated by the mistakes instead of enjoying the good parts. It took a few years to wise up. I still worried beforehand, but once it began, i just rolled with the kids & had fun!
The weather plays a large part in our lives on the farm & we have no control over it. It’s been a monsoon month here. We came back from 6 days in Branson (to get out of the rain) and the garden was a tangled jungle. I pruned back the towering tomatoes, the menacing zucchini, & the wild flowers at one end. And that’s with 3 raised , separated beds! I like the natural garden out back, but I did a lot of weeding early this spring in there. so that the good plants could thrive. Hmm…
As you know, I like to control, well…everything. This is such a good reminder and analogy. I recently decided to take a much needed break from worry and control and do a little work in my garden – to create something and enjoy some natural beauty. I was so surprised when my shovel hit something and made a “clink.” I kept rooting around until I found what I thought was a piece of a broken pot. As I dug it up, I realized that it was a terracotta heart that my mom had given me, with the word “peace” inscribed. I suppose I needed a slap in the face, rather than a subtle lesson, huh? I literally found peace when I gave up control!