This article was written by Yoga to Cope’s guest contributing writer Victoria Oliver, M.A., LPC. Victoria spent the greater part of her ‘early’ career working in the field of behavioral health -with a focus on urban youth, trauma, recovery and program development. She currently works for a Health System outside of Philadelphia, providing expertise and consultation in organizational effectiveness, leadership development and improvement efforts. She has been married for 26 years and has two teens. Yoga is her elixir.

Hor-ti-cul-ture

Noun

The art or practice of garden cultivation and management

What a lovely and important definition. In this time of Spring, it is fitting to reflect on how we cultivate and manage our own lives. Here are the factors to help create and maintain a flourishing garden and how these principles can apply to each of us:

Location- The location of a garden is one of the most critical elements of success. One must think about whether it gets enough water and nutrients. It needs to have exposure to sunlight and optimal conditions. It needs to have space….

What about you? Sometimes repositioning ourselves is necessary and vital to growth. Are you in the position where you get what you need to grow and flourish? Do you need a new environment or space so that you can flourish?

Planning-Soil is often lacking in nutrients. Doing a litmus test can help you determine if you need to add or remove things. We have an organic garden and we truck in organic mushroom soil annually and add compost. We plan our garden out each year and rotate plots. Crop rotation allows us to preserve nutrients in the soil and is said to boost nutrients for the following year.

Do you stay in patterns and consistent behavior that does not serve you and allow you to reach your full potential? Do you give your body proper nutrients? Do you take a personal litmus test to determine what you may need to add or remove from your life?

Grow what you love and what nourishes you!

A garden takes time, care, love and patience. What better way to grow a garden then to plant the things you love to eat? It is such a magical and beautiful thing to place a small, fragile seed in the soil…to water it…to nourish it...to see that tiny little sprout emerge from the dirt and to watch it grow. What practices or routines do you have in your life that nourish you and help you grow?

Do you give yourself time, care and love? Are you patient with yourself? Do you give yourself credit for small steps, improvement and growth?

Take care of weeds- Sometimes in order for your garden to blossom, you need to do some weeding. This may seem daunting, I know. But once you start the process (& it is a process because weeds continue to grow), you will feel a sense of relief. You will see things more clearly.

Your garden can claim the water, soil and sunlight that is meant for it to receive. You can also do the same in your life. Perhaps the weeds in your life are toxic people or commitments you don’t really want or need.

You have permission-and are encouraged to- ‘pull’ them out. You can claim and embrace the nourishment you will experience by doing the work you may have been avoiding.

Spring is about renewal and rebirth. Spring is also about planning and growth.

I hope you give yourself the time and space to think about how you can cultivate your best life.

Happy gardening!

Victoria can be found here on Instagram:

Preparing Your Garden