Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow was the question. I started with part one which posed my challenges that were thrown on my path like massive roadblocks. I hope that that post reflects how life comes to a standstill in many ways, while other parts of your life seem to fly by so fast that you cannot even think to respond because the medical stuff lives your life for you for some time, until you can start healing. I explained to you my breast cancer diagnosis and the traumatic journey that followed. In this post, I delve into how while working through this trauma, I created the garden that I tend to daily, and how it became a true reflection of my soul. The amount of knowledge that I have gained through research is now a resource and inspiration to many and it will help create a better tomorrow.
One says that nature offers everything we need. I agree with that statement for more than one reason.
Post-cancer or cancer survivor is a relative term because I don’t believe there is a true post-cancer moment. The cancer, even when doctors have cured it or removed it, will always be part of you, and of your journey. It affects your decision making, your feelings, and your basic reasoning. It gives you new insights, perspectives, and different ways to deal with situations. I suppose that too, is growth, just not necessarily voluntary growth through your decision, because after all no one would choose to grow cancer.
When I translate this to my garden, you will see how my garden is a reflection of me. My husband and I chose to build our garden. While the design is mine, my husband fully supports me and he built my garden beds so I could realize my vision. I have vegetables, flowers, culinary herbs, medicinal herbs, fruit trees, food forest plants, chickens, wildlife, you name it in my garden and on my property. I am not even close to being done either, as I am continuing to expand my garden with more beds for produce, wildflower areas for pollinators, a butterfly garden, a tea garden, a rain garden, and more. It is my intent to create my own personal oasis to be as self-sufficient as possible.
My garden feeds me and my husband, and anyone that comes over, it is all grown organically without pesticides, and I strive to utilize fertilizer that is as organic as it can be. This part directly relates to health and trust. There have been too many reports of pesticides causing harm to people with cancer and other issues. I already had my cancer battle chapter and I fully intend to leave this chapter behind me.
Economically, it makes sense. Yes, there is an investment though the benefits that come from my garden both the produce and healthier living as well as the enjoyment of gardening far outweighs the investment that we put into the garden.
It gives us some food security. We have witnessed shortages due to a pandemic, supply chain disruptions due to natural disasters and war, as well as a government that is out of control due to the ongoing bickering between left and right, and the lack of a solid plan on either side on how to move forward as a united front.
When we look at what is happening all around us, it is full of conflict. From political divisiveness, social conflicts based on race, religion, sexuality, gender identity, there is negative conflict all over the news all the time. Tell me the last time a news channel just posted nice good news…. A new exciting discovery, a rare animal giving birth, a funny happening that is not at the expense of others,… there is none of that!
The media from liberal to conservative channels have bought into a narcissistic game of blame and finger pointing throughout their broadcasts. When one turns on the news, one sees destruction, war, political disarray, cheating lying, greed of companies and politicians etc etc. – There is no positive and this is the one thing that people really need, because people need positive news to get a feeling of hope.
Our older generations are aging and watching a world be destroyed by a bunch of people who think they know all but who are actually only out thereto line their own pockets. This is a world they fought so hard for to preserve.
I experience anxiety and depression regularly. It is a side effect of cancer survivorship which has its own set of conditions. I am no longer focused as much on pleasing everyone else; my focus is directed at keeping myself and my family healthy, to build a buffer between me and negativity, and to continue to survive. I do not know if I will ever jump out of survival mode. I am kind of stuck in it.
What can I do about it? Truth is, I cannot do anything about any of the above – all of these other people will need to sort their own gardens out, just like I did. I cannot and will not worry about them. I worry about me and my loved ones, and this includes my family, and my friends.
Gardening is relaxing and uplifting. Did you know that there are bacteria in the soil that help to relax you and to lift your spirits? The bacterium that causes this is Mycobacterium vaccae. It has a similar function as Prozac as it stimulates serotonin production which makes you feel calm and happy.
I have control of what directly impacts me, and this is my garden. I pick food, play with dirt, watch plants grow. I get to taste my flowers, and admire their beauty, I get excited when I see new fruits develop, and I am taking care of my garden the way it takes care of me. This does not mean I do not have failures, because sure, I get garden pests, or a deer who comes by to harvest and eat half of each tomato, though in the end, it is easier to accept my failures because I learn, grow and thrive. It relaxes me, it keeps me away from negativity, and it gets me to move in a way where it benefits the physical challenges I have due to my surgeries.
When people come by and see my garden, people get curious, they want to know more about me, about my garden. People get excited when I share some seeds, produce,and even my passion to the point of where they want to start a garden of their own. People feel supported, they know that I will help them with their ideas and troubles if they ask. I get satisfaction out of watching people succeed in their garden because I gave them the courage to get started, and I am so proud of them as they are realizing their own personal vision. All it takes is to plant a seed, and then pay attention to watch it grow.
Here is my challenge for everyone that reads these two blog posts:
- Plant a seed
- Take care of your seed and seedling
- Watch it grow
- Follow my blog and then post a comment to let me know how it made you feel to plant and grow the seed you planted
- Let me know if you grew a little too, either with knowledge, your accomplishment, or even just because it makes you feel good…
“Life is full of obstacles, it is how you overcome them that makes you grow into the person you are today, and the person you will be tomorrow. No one can tell us what the future holds, but one thing is certain, and that is, that we can all strive for a better tomorrow.”
Inga’s Creations 