The sunlight dances playfully amongst the clouds, the golden rays turn a barely-susceptible green as they filter through the emerald leaves of the trees and shrubs. Iridescent butterflies and plump bumble bees flutter from one flower to another, and the dew drops perched on the blades of grass sparkle with a crystalline clarity.
It is so picturesque it is as if it has been painted by Monet. As a matter of fact, countless celebrated artists such as Monet were inspired by their own gardens, and it is hardly surprising. After all, there is something so inspiring and wonderful about having our own haven perched on our doorstep, a breathing and living painting where we can practice the art of gardening.
As gardeners, our landscapes are the perfect oasis. They’re a miniature paradise of our creation, where we can experience and witness nature in all of its glory. First hand, we can observe the leaves as they change color in fall, feel the silky softness of the petals of the peonies and the roses, and smell the earthy fragrance of our lawns after a spell of summery rain.
In the meantime, our work is never finished. We’re always tending to our lawn in some way or another, whether it is mowing the grass, growing flowers, fruits and vegetables, or protecting our beautiful greenery from pests and weeds.
There are those of us who prefer the floral splendor of traditional country or cottage gardens, whereas some of us adore the quiet simplicity of a lawn consisting only of grass or shrubs. There are also contemporary gardens, botanical gardens and even desert-style gardens. On the other hand, we don’t always follow a particular aesthetic. We just go along with whatever we are feeling at that particular moment and whatever the season or weather allows.
That is the beauty of gardening, it is an exploration of not only the wonders of nature but of our own selves as well. It is a sensory and immersive experience which brings us so close to the nurturing and flourishing of life. There’s a saying that all good things in life must come to an end, and whist that may be true for particular situations it certainly doesn’t apply to gardening.
There is always something to look forward to, to anticipate, and to be excited about. The unfinished gardener doesn’t ever want to be finished, because a gardener is always in pursuit of creativity and inspiration. In our cultivated and thriving landscapes, we are continuously tweaking and changing them so that they become ever more vibrant and lively and beautiful.
Nature is not stagnant and stationary, it is dynamic and exciting. As gardeners, we not only embrace but celebrate the fact that nature is so unpredictable and unexpected. Everyday our garden responds to the changing light and weather. Every week a flower or a leaf emerges which wasn’t there before. Every season our landscapes undergo a complete transformation.
The gardener’s work is never finished because nature is never finished. It is escapism in its most liberating and enlivening form, because we don’t have to seek comfort in certainty and consistency like we do in the real world.
In our gardens, we can bring to life the dreams and hopes we have always envisioned. It will always be a work in progress, and that is perhaps the most wonderful aspect of gardening. As we tend to our landscapes, we know that what we have achieved so far is better than what we have ever achieved before, and what we will achieve in the days and seasons to come will far exceed our every expectation.
Growing Happiness!
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