My Garden is like a Book of Living Wisdom.
Here, the seeds, soil, sprouts, and flowers have a special way of inspiring me. This summer I was pleased that several Mammoth Sunflower plants accepted my invitation to grow along the edge of my garden. As I watched them flourish, their unique growth pattern demonstrated their version of “How to maximize and enhance your joy and potential!”
From the ancient Greeks to the current trends, Sunflowers have long been held in high esteem. Recognizing that the life of most plants depends upon light absorption, the growth of the Sunflower is a standout! As a young plant, the east side of the stem of the Sunflower grows more rapidly than the west side. This uneven growth pushes the top of the flower head to gradually turn West, allowing its path to follow the Sun’s arc. Thus, by turning daily to track the most intense light, the young Sunflower is constantly oriented towards the Sun. This movement results in the Sunflower maximizing its photosynthesis and therefore having enough energy to generate enormous growth and biomass.
One day, as I was contemplating the patterning of my own thoughts and behaviors, the following questions came to my mind: “How would my life be different if I mimicked the Sunflower and ceaselessly turned my attention towards following Life’s Great Power Source? Could opening my daily life to this Divine Energy be my key to transforming any problems, complaints, and judgments into new opportunities? And could daily connections with a Loving and Infinite Source, which some comfortably call God, be the power that allows me to be a living example of the Buddhist concept of ‘Changing Poison to Medicine?'”
Now, as I look back upon my Sunflowers, my thoughts land on these inspiring words of Helen Keller: “Keep your face to the sunshine, and then you cannot see the shadows!”