Finding Joyful Purpose in the Garden

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.

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.

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.

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.

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