Proof of Life
Journal Entry No. 07
Welcome to the Proof of Life journal entry series.
Writing more in general, and specifically with you, is something I hope to continue throughout the year.
Like many of you, life has become clearer over the past year and there are many things I have dropped along the way that I deeply desire to pick back up. In turn, there are things I never want to pick up again.
From the very beginning, I have always felt like we are on this journey together and I can’t wait to hear what proof of life will come to mean to you.
Plant Your Own Garden
I have a friend that shares her gorgeous gardens through the seasons on Instagram. She lives in the south and her gardens reflect that she lives in an area with fertile soil, warmer temperatures and lots of moisture. She often gets comments from readers wanting to know the names of plants and how to do this or that. So many are hoping that with a little more information that just maybe they could get their gardens to look a little bit like hers.
One of my favorite yards in the world is of my friend Alexis Garrett. I know I mostly love that yard because it is full of memories and her. When I am in her California garden I am smelling everything, touching each plant and taking photos to take back to my own nursery hoping that I will discover that they will grow in Colorado.
Our last home was in town and the elevation was 6202 feet above sea level. When we moved to our current home and land we moved about 15 minutes away and the elevation went up another 350 feet. Our last home had the most beautiful and full white iceberg roses that lined the large front porch and when we moved I just assumed that I would be able to enjoy planting them here too. Year after year I have spent time and money trying to figure out how to get the iceberg roses to thrive and those extra 350 feet are reminding me year after year that I need to plant a garden for where I live NOW.
Over the past 5 ½ years this land has been showing me that where I had success with gardens in the past was not my extraordinary gardening skills but my awareness of planting for that area. I surrendered. I starting learning about THIS land and how to take better care of it and also what to plant that would thrive. Our gardens are still far from what I dream of creating here but I know and understand it so much better. I am not trying to make this land be something it isn’t.
I love spending time by myself in the garden pruning, weeding, learning and I think mostly just getting my feet and hands dirty, listening to the sound of the wind through the pines and being open to the voice of God.
One afternoon while I was weeding I was thinking about this garden of mine that took me too long to just look at the gifts it had for me and thinking how much more rich our own lives would be if we looked at our personal gifts the same way. If we could see the beauty in our own gifts and stop looking or comparing our gifts to those of another. When we can clearly be open to the beauty of our journey, story, gifts, passions and calling…that is the fertile ground in which more can grow.
I pray we can all learn to plant our own gardens in the soil where we plant our feet and within each one of us. What a shame it would be to never reap the abundance that comes from being content and having eyes open to see what we have been given.
Beautiful journaling…the last paragraph is something I really needed to hear/read today. Thank you.
I love this. These words ring so true for me. Thank you for sharing.
Lovely thoughts. Thank you.
I needed to hear this, about my own literal garden as well as my gifts. Beautiful! Thank you Jeanne!
I thought of the same thing when you started mentioning the different locations and learning to work “with what you’ve got”! Your past words have gifted me a mind shift into thinking about my specific form of creativity/gifts. I am learning to form a practice & working through my own creative processes to forge a creative business/life. Your thoughts & words have been an inspiration for my journey…..thank you for sharing! (…and your beautiful artwork is a big “eye candy” bonus!!)
What a lovely lesson! Thank you…
Thank you Jeanne! You are so right. As I find myself 3 1/2 years into life as a widow and a long season of redefining life without him, I need to find out what will grow in this time and space. I live in a new elevation, what grew then won’t grow now. It’s easy to look for what is familiar in the past rather than cultivating the land I now live in. Your thoughts today have given me a metaphor to hold onto as I seek to move forward. I appreciate all you give. In humble admiration, Debra
I can only imagine right now how you are redefining your life. Praying with you as you find your way. So much love to you!
What a gift your words are and also I have wanted to thank you for the classes you organize. Such a wonderful way to share yourself in the world. And then to find out your gardening is much like mine. (We live at 6900 feet in NM). I am changing my planting to accommodate our increasing drought. Some sadness along with the joy of discovering what wants to grow with me.
Beautifully worded Jeanne. I so enjoy reading your Proof of Life Journal entries. Thank you so much for sharing!💐
This journal entry truly touched me. I have always felt closest to God in the garden. For a garden is a beautiful place to be still and to hear God.
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful thoughts and a beautiful reminder. Thank you Jeanne
Beautiful Jeanne and so timely. Need every word of this journal entry.
Well said. I love the different prospective you took by looking at our personal gifts that grow from our garden. I have just recently retired and looking to seek God’s direction during this new chapter of life by being able to use my gifts. This really spoke to me and will print it out to meditate on your words. Thank you for your inspiration.
wonderful reminder- thank you!!! &… I live in Colorado at 7,800 feet & have had fabulous luck with the Canadian rose series- in particular the william Baffin- 🙂