Silver Bells and Cockle Shells

 Mistress Mary grew some pretty cool things.  Not to eat, of course, but I like to think her garden was more of an inner one, despite some interpretations of the rhyme which are quite dark.

We all plant seeds.  Some of them get well tended, some are neglected or forgotten and wither away.  We all bear fruit, maybe bushels and bushels, maybe just a little.  But quality is more important than quantity.  Growing a garden is hard work.  Sometimes, despite every effort, we fail.  Or do we?  It's easy to think yourself a failure if you don't reach this or that goal, without realizing that the effort required to pursue a goal is far more important than attaining it.  Striving is what molds character.  Striving affects our soul life, making us stronger and wiser, and hopefully more compassionate towards others who struggle and seemingly fail.

Growing a productive garden is most of all dependent on the soil.  Fertile, humous-rich earth, teaming with microbes, fungi and earthworms is essential for raising healthy plants.  Likewise, proper diet and lifestyle are the foundation which gives us the will forces necessary to think clearly and to act.  Processed, sugary convenience foods, no matter how good they taste, rob us of energy and brain function.  Coupled with lack of exercise and poor sleep, we become apathetic and foggy, drained of will power.

Try an experiment.  For one week, eat only whole foods, preferably organically grown.  Fruits and vegetables, whole grains (think oatmeal, brown rice, millet, whole grain sourdough bread), legumes, nuts and seeds, olive oil, lean meats, eggs, dairy if you tolerate it from grass fed cows in the form of natural cheeses, unsalted butter and unsweetened yogurt with living, cultured bacteria.  If you simply must have something sweet, mix a little honey, butter, cinnamon, vanilla, maybe some peppermint leaves or grated orange or lemon rind, chopped nuts and a couple of cut up dates.  Let it harden in the frig awhile to make it chewy before you eat it.  Try something new!  Take a walk every day.  Make it your top priority.  Make your heart and lungs work a little.  After a week, see how you feel.   As added incentive, remember you are doing this not only for yourselves, but for the entire planet and for generations to come who depend on our choices, thoughts and actions.  

Some people have only the clothes on their backs and a cardboard box to sleep in.  Think of this!  The more privileged we are, the greater is our responsibility towards others less fortunate.  We're here to love and to serve.  If we fail at something despite our best efforts, we can be comforted knowing that at least we've become stronger and wiser in the process.  If we fail due to apathy or complacency or lack of effort, our garden will bear no fruit.