Spring is an optimistic time of year. Birds sing in their newly feathered nests, leaf buds unfurl in a riot of verdant green, the garden awakens in a rush of growth and bloom, and a positive outlook is held by most as they soak up the warm sunshine.
This spring I’ve been reading the book A Garden from a Hundred Packets of Seed by James Fenton and a short simple passage struck a chord with me. The quote “Plant some seeds and see how they grow,” conveys the ultimate optimism for the future. Generations of humankind have started with a seed and the hope that from the seed will come nourishment for the body or delight for the heart.
A seed is an amazing thing. From something small enough to hold in hand, sometimes so small it can hardly be seen, a plant will grow and proliferate. On a recent adventure to the desert southwest I learned that a saguaro cactus –which can reach heights of over 60 feet and weigh nearly 5,000 pounds, even in a parched landscape- grows from a seed no larger than a grain of sand. Amazing! Not unlike the acorn from which a mighty oak grows, just imagine the possibilities a seed can offer.
Some days I wonder about this world in which we live. The chaos and angst are enough to make even the brightest of us feel disheartened.
We have to live our lives with passion and hope for a bright future. This spring as the weather warms up, I encourage you to use this optimistic time of year to be inspired. Whatever it is that makes your heart sing or makes you feel right with the world. Start small, but get out there and do it. Whether in the garden or elsewhere in life, plant some seeds and see how they grow. |
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