Digging in the dirt is therapeutic don’t you think?
When I have something on my mind, I like to work in the yard. Plant something new to replace what isn’t thriving. Or trim something to allow it to grow more fully. It reminds us of our roots. It causes us to pause and give thanks for the beauty of nature.
We can take so many lessons from nature. I look at a cactus and think about how it endures a drought, storing what it needs to get through tough times and surviving hardships. And then it suddenly blooms in a burst of color! Nothing holds it back. In fact, many other plants grow under the cactus, looking to it for shelter and protection.
On the Pacific Coast we find redwood trees, the world’s tallest trees, growing to more than 300 feet tall. It’s humbling to realize that some of these trees have survived for over 2000 years; some as old as the Roman Empire. Hundreds and thousands of years enduring rain, wind, lightening—even fire. And yet, they not only survive, they thrive.
When clients come to me for help with stress or depression, I often encourage them to find a way to connect with nature. It’s so healing to get outside and experience nature and yes, to dig in the dirt.
Photo by Meghan Holmes on Unsplash