Nurtured by Nature - A Nature-Based Therapy Blog

After a recent yard clean up at my house I was stunned to find that two very old hollyhocks in a flower bed were destroyed - or so I thought.  I was also super pissed at the carelessness. Could anyone really be that clueless?  I had nurtured the plants back to brilliance (sarcasm yes?) by deterring the ants and feeding them extra nutrients and water and was looking forward to their blooms that were set to burst in the coming days, red and yellow varieties.  

Looking closer at the two plants that were decimated I found that one of the stalks is still green - maybe the roots will survive and it will come back next spring?  And the second one is probably going to be ok, even though it won't bloom this year.  

And, then, today.  As I came out of the garage, a flash of fuchsia made me look over into the old dog run.  A “wild” holly hock plant had bloomed, in a new color.  So exciting!  Thank you to the bird for dropping the seed, to the pollinators, and all of the other elements combining to give the flowers such a beautiful fuchsia color so that I couldn’t miss the gift.  Nature really does renew, inspire, and remind us that hope is always moving toward us.   When we are worrying, feeling angry, sad, or preoccupied with our own frustrations, nature keeps working around us all the time, waiting for us to notice, connect with, and receive its comfort and solace.  

Look around in whatever moment you find yourself today - what does nature have to show you?

Besides the heat . . .

Written By: Marilyn Laughlin LCSW - A New Leaf Therapy Clinician