Imagine by John Lennon kept entering my space this week. First, there was the song on my favorite SiriusXM Channel, The Bridge, while I was on my stationary bike.
Then, I kept seeing the specialty Florida license tag shown here. I have this tag, but I rarely notice my own tag.
Finally, I clicked on an email from Thrift Books and there it was again. Only this time it was a blog all about John Lennon and the books written about the different periods of his life.
John Lennon was born on October 9 eighty years ago. The song, Imagine, came out in October 1971 when I was just starting college, 49 years ago.
What If?
At the time Imagine was released, the Vietnam War still raged and the world seemed out of control. That sounds a lot like today, different scenarios, similar energy.
What if each person who read this blog took three long breaths, sat in the moment and sent out an intention of love?
What if each of them sent a link to this blog to ten of their friends who read the blog, took three long breaths, sat in the moment and sent out an intention of love?
And so on… Love would fill the lives of each person, touched by this song. Imagine…
An Invitation
I invite you to send a link of this article to ten of your friends. Let’s see what beauty comes from it!
As I noticed the swallowtail caterpillars devouring my parsley over three days, it reminded me how perspective changes everything. In my early gardening days, I always picked off caterpillars. After all, they were another pest in my garden. The connection between a caterpillar and the beautiful butterfly wasn’t solid in my mind until I studied biology in junior high school.
Who Doesn’t Love Butterflies
My first reaction at seeing the yellow and green striped caterpillars was, “Yes, finally!!” I was overjoyed to have caterpillars on my parsley. Although I planted it for my consumption, I also expected the eastern black swallowtail butterflies visiting nearby Pentas, to lay a few eggs on one of their favorite larval plants, parsley. I consciously invited these little caterpillars to my herb table.
Nature works in concert to keep the natural order in check. Birds eat insects when they are plentiful, lady beetles eat aphids when they explode and I pick off caterpillars when there are more than my parsley can survive.
I call this being a steward of my garden. With the help of my dog, Sugar, we removed most of the caterpillars from my parsley, leaving seven of the largest ones to mature into adults.
From One Animal to the Next
When I visited the parsley this morning in hopes of finding a pupae, I was horrified to find a multitude of snails instead. Snails and slugs can decimate a garden of tender plants like parsley. I set about picking them off the bare stems and breaking their shells against the terra cotta pot. Yes, I can be brutal in my garden.
Soon I realized there were too many of them to exterminate by hand. Quickly I headed to the storage building where I have a corner for all my friendlier pest deterrents. I rummaged around until I found the well hidden Garden Safe Slug and Snail Bait. After reading the instructions, I decided to apply right then.
Conclusion
My interest in my garden is diverse.
I love the plants.
seeing the shapes, contrast, or colors
inhaling the aroma of my white flowers
eating their fruit
feeling the softness or hardness of their leaves
admiring individual plants and carefully arranged groups
I love the birds and butterflies.
hawks announcing their territory at the top of a tree
red cardinals chirping and hummingbirds finding nectar
sandhill cranes flying over with their clear rattle calls
the first zebra longwing attracted to the native firebush
I admire the circle of life in nature.
swallowtail caterpillars devouring my parsley
Vermin eating fallen fruit, corn snakes eating the vermin
bald eagles diving for fish in the lake
alligators capturing fish or turtles in its jaws
man hunting the alligator, eating the tail meat, tanning the hide
All my life, judgement is with me, keeping me safe by warning me the stove was hot, sometimes reducing my happiness when I judged or felt the sting of judgement from others. My pain from judgement brings tears as I write this, tears for me and for all those I judged. What is left after letting go is forgiveness, love, and caring.
My hope for you is appreciation, understanding how perspective changes everything, letting go, and love for all, especially yourself.
How do I stay positive during trying times? Gratitude is the answer. This small watercolor painting of the swan always fills my heart with gratitude. It reminds me of the time with my family when I was twelve at Busch Gardens in Tampa, where I took the photo of a swan with my Polaroid Swinger. I chose that moment for my reference at age thirty-seven as I experimented with a gesso and watercolor technique. Every time I look at this painting, my heart fills with gratitude that spans over decades.
You can feel the same with practice.
Give Me Examples
Being home with my children is driving me crazy.
First, ensure your children are safe
Then go to a quiet place
Close your eyes
Take 3 deep cleansing breaths
Imagine you are at away at work, wondering how your child is feeling away from you
Feel the sadness, the longing to be together
Now shift back to now
I’m so grateful they are right here with me
Come out and give your child a comforting hug
Repeat as needed
Gratitude is the answer
I miss being with my best friend.
First, move to a quiet place, where you are alone
Take 3 deep cleansing breaths
Call your friend
Close your eyes and imagine they are right there with you
Enjoy your conversation
Tell them how grateful you are they are in your life
Repeat as needed
Gratitude is the answer
The Mind Shift
Dealing with fear, sadness, disgust or anger is possible. All these emotions are choices we make. Instead, using breathing techniques and being in the moment, choose joy, peace, trust and love.
How Do I Shift My Emotions?
First, go to a quiet place, where you are alone
Close your eyes
Take 3 deep cleansing breaths into your heart space
Imagine your favorite place
Listen to the sounds
Breathe in the fragrance
Continue to bask in this beautiful space
Slowly open your eyes
Repeat as needed
You have experienced gratitude in this exercise
How Can I Find Gratitude ____?
Fill in the blanks with your current situation. After you have performed at least one of the exercises above, go through this list. And always look for the positive.
See the small delights in your surroundings, right now
Be gentle with yourself
Be gentle with others
Smile
Gratitude is the answer
This Seems Too Simple
That’s the beauty of it. We become accustomed to rushing, stress and overwhelm. By the simple act of mindful breathing, we reset our minds and emotions. It’s very simple and how wonderful to have found the space to do that now. I’m taking advantage of this more quiet time at home to reconnect with the love and peace within.
Then, I kept seeing the specialty Florida license tag shown here. I have this tag, but I rarely notice my own tag.
