Gloria B. Collins

A Beautifier of Life through Slow Home Living

  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Sketchbook
    • Why I Sketch
  • Journal
  • Contact
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Privacy Policy

Finding Joyful Purpose in the Garden

July 29, 2020 By Gloria B. Collins Leave a Comment

Often, in trying times, we search for joyful purpose. We seek joy in our art, in cooking, and, for me at least, in the garden.

As you may know by now, I am very fond of growing plants and love watching them develop throughout the seasons. After years of hard work, my garden is finally a somewhat affordable laboratory filled with wildlife, plants, and microorganisms. I created the most beautiful sustainable ecosystem that continues to offer me a joyful purpose.

Finding Joyful Purpose in the Garden | Gloria B. Collins

Joyful Purpose in the Garden

During these emotionally difficult times of Covid-19, social distancing, and lockdowns, finding joyful purpose in the garden is the perfect therapeutic way to calm my nervous tension.

Cutting flowers to bring indoors or picking flavorful herbs for family meals is such a straightforward thing to do, and yet it is these simple pleasures that are creating more joy in my life. And we could all use a bit more joy in our lives right now.

Finding Joyful Purpose in the Garden | Gloria B. Collins

Joyful Purpose in Patience

The garden season starts slowly after a long winter with just a few buds and daffodils. The anticipation of knowing what’s to bloom sings to my heart. It is the symphony of flowers, mixed with vegetables, fruit trees, and berry bushes, all poking for my attention during the summer’s heat, which makes the work all worthwhile. It is calming to watch the insects and birds busy at work.

I take great pride in my garden. It is through these acts of tending, caring, and nurturing that one learns to be patient and wait for seasonal pleasures. There is joyful purpose in patience. It is our patience that celebrates in the scent of a tomato plant, which, for me, forever sparks my favorite childhood garden memories. To this day, I associate the unmistakable aroma of tomato plants with the simple pleasures of eating my mother’s tomato soup. 

In particular, I love the endless hours spent puttering in the garden. The joyful purpose of doing the chores to ensure all of my plants’ health is genuinely relaxing. Gardening allows me the freedom to quietly explore my creativity. It is an abstract and ever-changing living canvas full of inspiration.

Finding Joyful Purpose in the Garden | Gloria B. Collins

Alone in my world now more than ever, it is this sanctuary I’ve created, and filled with whimsical fleeting beauty, which gives me the strength to believe in tomorrow. It is my hope that you too will find joyful purpose in your garden.

If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for my monthly email newsletter where I share a behind the scenes look at how I’m working things out in life and in my garden. You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.  I also hope you’ll join me on my Mighty Networks group Flowers. Art. Life.

Filed Under: Gardening, Growth, Hobbies

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

My Social Networks

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Email Newsletter Signup

  • My newsletter is a genuine glimpse behind the scenes on how I'm working things out in life.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Connect with me!

gloriabcollins

Good morning. Beautiful day here in #newyork Hope Good morning. Beautiful day here in #newyork Hope you enjoyed my newsletter this morning.  The #newyear is here finally! Couldn’t come fast enough for us all! Hope you’re enjoying this slow time to reflect and #daydream This morning as I write in my #thegoodbyehellojournal  I began to set my intentions for perhaps a new home! What would it look like? Where would it be? Hmmm love #dreaming~  I wish you happy dreams today❤️ stay safe! 340,000. #americans to date. So sad😞
Must finish the newsletter for Saturday. Fun new Must finish the newsletter for Saturday.  Fun new reveals for the #newyear  Sign up from my web sight which can be directly linked to from above here on my Instagram bio. ❤️☝️
Wishing you the very best #Christmas you can have! Wishing you the very best #Christmas you can have!
I’ve always loved stickers as a child, now I jus I’ve always loved stickers as a child, now I just made her because why not have fun exploring one’s childhood loves!  Creating fun little #sketches  Do you think it’s a silly idea? I’d love my #gardengirl to inspire us all. I welcome your thoughts.
Hi from the #garden this #foggymorning it feels mo Hi from the #garden this #foggymorning it feels more like November. Wishing you all a peaceful day! ❤️
Instagram post 17881951459930138 Instagram post 17881951459930138
Hope you enjoy my newsletter today. During the #p Hope you enjoy my newsletter today.  During the #pandemic I’ve been sketching and sketching #garden girls.... every day working to learn more and more.  This helps keep me optimistic and centered.  So sad 278,000  #americans  we will never forget you!
Oh the cookies. The problem is they don’t seem t Oh the cookies. The problem is they don’t seem to be lasting. Recipe in this month’s newsletter. Sign up from my bio.
Follow on Instagram
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

Log in as an administrator and view the Instagram Feed settings page for more details.


Copyright© 2021 • Homepage photos by Randazzo & Blau Photography

WordPress Theme Customization & Hosting by Experience Farm

  • Email Newsletter Signup

    My email newsletter is a genuine glimpse behind the scenes on how I'm working things out in life.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.