When I plant my garden each spring, I make a list of all the vegetables and any other yummy goodness that make my taste buds sing. I prepare the soil, provide water and nourishment, and then I wait. Similar to a child on Christmas morning, the first sign of growth fills me with a sense of giddiness and anticipation for the fruits of my labor soon to be ready for consumption.
Life is a lot like a garden. Sometimes there is beautiful green growth. Sometimes the growth is overcome by weeds that are diligently cleaned up to provide a clear path for our plantings to blossom. There is always the unexpected that continues to challenge. Unrealistic expectations of others can smother us like weeds strangling our beloved garden.
I have worked hard on my expectations. I hate to say that I have lowered my standards, but I do recognize when people in my life are not able to provide what I had hoped that they could. It is disappointing? Yes, but I can chalk it up to a lesson learned and move on to those around me who are able to provide me with whatever I feel that I am lacking.
My garden isn’t perfect, but I love the emergence of new life and the ability to accept the weeds and any other interference that are experienced. When I remove resentment, anger, regret, and blame from my internal garden, I open the door to a new way of thinking. The ability to see situations and people for exactly where they are, allows me to flourish in compassion and new found understanding.
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