Tending our Soul’s Garden

Sowing Seeds of Joy

A garden is a beautiful space where things can grow—a place where the seeds of our most fruitful ideas can take root and flourish. Think of a garden filled with lush plants and flowers. It's given gifts are nurturing soil, clean water and warm sunlight—the essentials that feed the promise of what’s to come.

Now imagine your soul as a garden, ready to expand in any direction you consciously choose. This space is full of potential, where your experiences and insights act as the catalysts for change once you have intentionally chosen your path. In the emotional garden within your own heart, ask yourself, are the plants abundant and plentiful, or are they withered and lifeless, covered with weeds? Are there untilled patches that are showing signs of neglect instead of life? This inner landscape reflects the range of both inspiring and difficult emotions that we often face in our everyday lives. Our expectations, whether good or bad, always plant the results that we later harvest in the form of our experiences. Meaning that even in the most trying situations, our response in that moment can instantly transform the outcome. By consciously nurturing optimistic and constructive thoughts, we can steer our life's journey towards a more gratifying and enriching experience, no matter the circumstances we face.

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We are not bound to the same old frustrations nor expected to fix problems others may have caused. As a recovering “fixer”, I have come to understand that it is not my moral obligation to resolve issues that are not mine or to alter challenging situations or people. Some things are just meant to be left as they are, without my interference. I have welcomed this newfound liberation into my life, and it is something that I invite you to consider embracing as well. It is a change that has allowed me to focus more on my own path—essentially “staying in my lane” where there is zero traffic—rather than being preoccupied by issues that do not involve me. This level of freedom has opened up a world of possibilities where my energy and efforts are invested in what truly matters to me—leading a more fulfilling and authentic life that is both satisfying and true to self.

La Villa et Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild | Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France

Built during the Belle Époque, often referred to as the 'Golden Age,' Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild on the Côte d'Azur showcases a beautifully rich art collection and features nine of the most magnificent gardens I have ever witnessed. These gardens are adorned with ornamental ponds, waterfalls, musical fountains, unique flowerbeds, and several rare tree species. As I reflected on my topic for this entry, my time at the gardens immediately came to mind. Despite facing a severe heatwave that day, which left us beyond drained and depleted, the beauty of the gardens sustained us.

A book I often refer to for inspiration is "The Power of Your Subconscious Mind" by Dr. Joseph Murphy, a prominent author and thought leader in the field of new thought and self-actualization. I have read this book more times than I can count, and I credit it to my own successful journey of personal transformation. Dr. Murphy's views center on the idea that our beliefs, particularly those held in the subconscious mind, are powerful indicators of our experiences and outcomes in life. One of Murphy’s most recited metaphors is, “our mind is like a garden, and our thoughts are the seeds that you plant in it.” Each day, when you metaphorically "water your plants," you are nurturing those thoughts not only through repetition, but also through emotional investment. This metaphor underscores how positive thoughts are like flowers that bring beauty and joy to our life, while negative thoughts are the weeds that can take over our mental garden if not pruned. Just as a gardener waters and fertilizes their garden to nurture it, we cultivate a healthy mind by nurturing and safeguarding our mental space, and by actively challenging limiting thoughts before they morph into beliefs.

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The Power of your Subconscious Mind | Personal Reflections

When you intentionally cultivate your mind with thoughts that support joyful outcomes, maintain a sense of optimism that things will go well, and have confidence in knowing that you are indeed on the right path, your garden will naturally yield abundant and rewarding results. In this metaphorical garden, we see the power of possibility—a place where any seedling of an idea can take root and flourish. In this garden we are in a state of holistic well-being that empowers us to live our most authentic lives, inviting us to dig deep, to really get to know ourselves, our strengths, our vulnerabilities—all of it. It is in that self-awareness that we begin to develop a self-image that is not just resilient, but also profoundly genuine. We become better equipped to understand and manage our emotions, which doesn't just make you more emotionally resilient; it makes you kinder, more empathetic, and more compassionate—qualities that define a beautifully well-rounded human being.

“In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they're still beautiful.” Alice Walker

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Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!

With Love & Grace,

Nakia

For Camille Dungy, tending to her soul garden is an exploration of history, race, and sustainability.