About 20 years ago I built a garden bench from small pallets, painted it and put a couple of floor tiles on the seat so I could sit in my garden. I was in a different space then, and could take time to sit in the garden once in a while.
After I moved to Spirit Bird Farm, its home was our front porch and it largely served as a place for potted plants. A few years ago my husband decided he didn't like it there and moved it away. It found a spot in my strawberry patch, where I was hoping to create a tea-sipping, and meditation spot next to the little peach tree.
But, as it happens when one is busy with growing and preserving food and taking care of all the other small farm tasks, the project did not quite happen.
So the bench sat unused and is now overcome with cleavers (aka bedstraw).
When you are busy busy busy, sitting in the garden doesn't happen often if ever.
Once we have moved this summer and are settled in to some other spot, whether temporarily or permanently, I hope the downsizing allows me more time for sitting, meditating and writing this blog.
I still plan to do a large garden and grow a lot of food, but without the extraneous farm tasks.
Take heed of this... Always make time to just sit in the garden. Always make time for a little rest, a little quiet, a little stillness.
Right now, my morning practice involves going into the garden before breakfast (yes, barefoot) at all times of the year, and simply commune with the life there, synch with nature's cycles, and gaze upon it all. It sets the tone for my day. Sometimes I do sit, but usually I walk through and sing to the garden and all of life. My meditation, my still time.
Yesterday was May Day, Beltaine, the day to celebrate life. Today is my birthday and I am focused on release and rebirth, welcoming new life with open arms.