Thursday, April 1, 2010

Balancing Act


All of us struggle with balance. In yoga, this is my greatest challenge, keeping myself upright while standing on one foot.
In life, balance is essential. Through trial and error I have learned how to cultivate a life that maintains a proper weighing in of, for lack of a more accurate term-yin and yang.
One of my strategies in balancing out the more cerebral activities in my life is tending to my plants. I probably have close to a hundred potted plants at this writing, and each one is lovingly cared for from agave pups to my most prized orchid pictured here.
I’m not an orchid aficionado but my daughter gave me this plant last year and I was very proud of how I had managed to keep the blooms alive for almost 6 months.
Once the delicate flowers died and fell off poetically, one by one, I contemplated putting the plant in the compost since the notion of getting it to flower again seemed remote at best.
But, I just couldn’t do it. So, I put it in a sunny place inside the house, watered the roots with filtered water and sprayed the leaves with orchid food-whispering encouragement throughout the winter months.
Today the first bloom broke open. Standing alone in celebration of rebirth and renewal.
Teaching me so many lessons-patience, perseverance and self-care.

3 comments:

  1. marjie pilkey harrisonApril 1, 2010 at 8:47 PM

    orchids are breeze in FL. They have been captivating me for many years and never fail to excite me with each bloom.

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  2. Lovely. Balance is something that means a lot to me too. I also struggle with it. Thank you for reminding me of its significance and for sharing this gorgeous orchid! Happy Spring!

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  3. this is exactly what i needed to hear today. xo.

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