An imperfect practice is better than none at all
This is another plant that grows wildly and almost invasively in our backyard. It grows in bunches and each plant has green stalks with bright white flowers. The way it grows in our yard, it really feels like a fresh meadow of blooming green and white colors that peaks early to mid spring. And this is one plant that if you smell, you will understand that it’s part of the ‘Allium’ family - it has a similar pungent smell as onions and garlic.
This is one drawing where I remember very clearly how the word got paired with the plant. A special thing about drawing something is that you really have to look at your subject. It’s an intense kind of looking - one that we don’t often do. In order to capture the lines and shapes and spaces created by this plant, I had to carefully observe every part of it.
So when I was drawing this plant, I noticed how all the flowers (except one) looked like they were wilting. I could FEEL this drooping sensation - of being tired, run down, like you can’t take another step, you just can’t keep going. BUT, there was that one flower in the group that was able to keep it’s ‘head’ up high. Like it WAS able to keep going, keep it’s head above water, above the fray!
And so I wondered, how can I be like that flower? To keep going even when I’m not sure I am able to? How was I going to get through the 100 day project? ...through all the things that were going on in my life at that time? This plant seemed to whisper its sweet little secret to me that day. And the answer somehow led to the word: self-care.
TAKE A PAUSE AND LISTEN
From THE GARDEN of HEALING Album. Music and video by Ariel Loh - Window Seat.
TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO THE THEME
EPISODE 12 - SEASON 1
Imperfect self-care is better than none at all. Self-care takes courage. It’s easy to put off. Some people, like healthcare workers who we hear from in this episode, aren’t given a choice. They are only being asked to take care of others. However, everyone needs self-care and it rarely happens in isolation. Sometimes we have to face conflict to practice radical love and embrace the messy beautiful.
EPISODE 23 - SEASON 2
We're cooking up some gratitude this week with this long-form interview with VC Tang on the theme of self care as it relates to community care. We hope this conversation inspires you to nourish yourself by cooking and eating with others!
EPISODE 53 - SEASON 3
Join us as we explore the intentions behind Arlene's latest pop-up art exhibit, "The Forgiveness Reflection Booth", and how pausing to connect with found objects in nature can bring comfort, kindness, joy and wonder to our everyday lives.
EPISODE 58 - SEASON 3
Have you ever wondered how the power of pause can lead to achieving more? Today, we're joined by Emily Lynn Wendell, who takes us on her personal journey of battling an autoimmune condition while simultaneously building a business. Despite the challenges, Emily's story is one of resilience and creativity. She likens her experiences to building wire sculptures one wire at a time, a testament to her patience and determination.
Self-care is one of the 39 Gratitude Blooming themes that we explore to help our community keep gratitude front of mind.
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