Gardening Euphoria 

 

To plant a garden is to believe in eternity. Gardening is a veneration of the creator in its most giving form. The plants relate stories; transmit history, impressions, and the passion of our nature lover ancestors, uniting generations. The wisdom moves from generations, and our loved ones live through these plants. The plants connect magically. All one needs is emotional resonance, and nature communicates beautifully.

Be a gardener at heart and end up being a unique blend of endurance, ingenuity, insight, and compassion. The deep connection of the earth with hands extends to human relationships as well. Caring for nature, we become considerate for all living beings. Passion for gardening oozes energy, dynamism, and it is a fun way to exercise, uplifting our mood instantly. It is a source of constant comfort.

 

A surreal experience with a Harsinghar plant amazed me. We were moving out of our army home, and I was going to miss the sweet fragrance of the Harsinghar flowers. I made a blind wish to see the flower one more time. The tree responded to my yearning with a bunch of flowers in the offseason Tulsi plant in my garden had dried out with no scope of regrowth. I did not give up and kept watering it with love and faith. The plant not only sprouted but bloomed to its heart content.

 Nature’s wonders keep amazing me. When my dad passed away, the bright red flowers of his Mustang plant was in full bloom, paying a final tribute. His numerous fruit trees have blessed us with the best fruit in years after his death, an accolade to an ardent admirer. Most of my morning glory plants could not survive the harsh weather, and very few survived. To my surprise, one single plant grew so well that it bore endless flowers to illuminate my many mornings. Ridge Gourd plant was flourishing all over the hedge with enticing yellow flowers but no fruit. The season was almost over. I discovered a few gourds one day, and the plant continued enriching us with healthy gourds for months. With continuous care, an old Jamun tree bore its first fruit in small bunches. I sense a connection with my agrarian ancestors.

 

 

 

“However big or small your garden is, if you allow nature to touch your spirit, gardening will bring returns of peace, satisfaction, and well-being for as long as you continue to wander the garden path.” Rightly expresses Norman Hansen.

 

Our desire to nurture nature has turned Instagram pages green. You only need fascination for plants and are ready to get your hands dirty with mud; the blooming flowers will win your heart. We end up nourishing our souls. Understanding climate change and the pandemic has turned many youngsters to be plant parents. The joy is visible in the increase in the number of plant nurseries in the cities. The awareness about organic, chemical-free greens has increased kitchen gardens. There are beautiful kitchen gardens on the window sills and balconies. 

Gardening is a sure shot way to be in the moment leading to a meditative state. Nurturing a tiny seed into a plant requires patience, persistence but gives immeasurable joy. The challenge and experiment in gardening motivate one to do better not only in the garden but in life itself. We think we are nurturing nature, but it is nature that is nourishing us.

“It was such a pleasure to sink one’s hand into the warm earth, to feel at one’s fingertips the possibilities of the new season,” rightly says Kate Morton in The Forgotten Garden.

 

                  

                            GRATITUDE

 

 

 

                      THE SECRET TO LONGEVITY

 

How one yearns to live a long and healthy life? What if one finds out the secret? Well, the secret lies in the healthy lifestyle of the centenarian people living in the blue zones. People living in the blue zones of Greece, Japan, Sardinia, California, or Costa Rica contribute their longevity to their healthy eating, a purposeful life full of faith supported by secure communities. One can replicate their practices and live a long life. 

 

The centenarians in Japan believe that everyone has a purpose or Ikigai to live. They maintain that once you discover your ikigai, pursuing it and nurturing it every day will bring meaning to your life. By finding and uncovering it hidden deep inside us, you should go on to follow it to make your life filled with fulfillment and gratitude. Finding your purpose and immersing in the process by giving 100% without any distractions bring meaning to everyday existence. Set your wheels in motion and shift gears if need be, and continue with the same passion throughout your life.

 

 

When you are wholly engrossed and focused on the task at hand, you attain a flow. Concentration on one thing at a time is crucial in achieving flow. The cue to sustenance is to have a challenge out of our comfort zone to fulfill your purpose. Enjoying mundane tasks adds to achieving your flow. Meditation is one exercise that will help train your minds to reach a flow. The happiest people are the ones who spend more time than others in a state of flow when nothing else seems to matter.

 

Workout for the mind is a significant and indispensable part of longevity, as it requires stimulation to stay in shape by stepping out of the comfort one. Dealing with new situations, learning something new every day, interacting with people, and never retiring are all the anti-aging strategies for the mind. Be curious about the things that penetrate you and give meaning and happiness to your being. It can be as simple as washing dishes, caring for a child, or helping out people who need it.

 

Self-actualization begun at a young age goes a long way in developing our personality. You need to know your strength, have a mission, and continue with the same vigor to evolve as a better version.

 

The healthy lifestyle of the people in the blue zone includes eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, consuming high anti-oxidant food, fermented food, healthy fat along with less salt, and avoiding the fried stuff. When we eat less than hunger and fast occasionally, it keeps us healthy. 

 

 Exercising regularly, tending a garden, growing food gives us immense happiness with an added benefit of good health. Nurturing friendships, strong social ties with friends and family, and pursuing hobbies too aid in longevity.  Proper sleep is vital to maintain cell function to nourish the body and wellbeing.

 

 

Stress is an inhibitor to longevity as it promotes cellular aging by weakening telomeres, which affect cellular regeneration. It has a degenerative effect over time. Practicing mindfulness is the best dose of medicine to keep anxiety at bay. When we are doing things mindfully, we can detect harmful habits and can replace them with positive ones. A positive attitude with emotional awareness helps manage our emotions.

 

We should not worry too much about finding our Ikigai. Life is not a problem to be solved. Every moment in our life happens only once; we must learn to make it a  once-in-a-lifetime experience. Therefore, one must value each moment like a beautiful treasure. It’s a uniquely transformative experience, discovering how to make each instant the best moment of one’s life. Seize the moment and live a long and healthy life.