May 20, 2019
A walk through my cottage garden brings forth emotion and deep thought. I've always been this way in nature. I can't just walk past a giant redwood and enjoy its beauty without contemplating the wonder of that life form and this amazing place that we call earth. Equally, I gaze at the tiniest flowers in complete awe of the miracles that they are. No matter the size or form, all life is so fascinating to me.
Tiny flowers touch my heart the most. We pass them by and may not pay attention to them like we do the stately peonies and roses, but these tiny flowers display their magnificent beauty whether we see them or not. They are the center of their own universe and stand proud without any regard for the attention they do or do not receive.
And that's the lesson I take from them. I will be the most beautiful flower I can be, just because I can... and not because anyone needs to notice.
At the same time, I will strive to notice the tiny forgotten flowers and shower them with love because they are magnificent and worthy of attention.
If we could see the miracle in a single flower
clearly our whole life would change
Jack Kornfield-A Buddhist monk and writer interpreting Buddha’s teachings
Dig your roots deep, spread your petals wide, take in all the love and reflect that love back into the world.
Oh…and be silly and goofy, like Charlie!
The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the Lily
do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm.
If every flower wanted to be a rose,
spring would lose its loveliness
Therese of Liseux
Thrive in all that you do wherever you are. Embrace each and every moment and place. Make it all count. Don’t compare your petals to others. Yours are perfect.
As a bee gathering nectar does not harm or disturb the color & fragrance of the flower; so do the wise move through the world.
Buddha
Who would deduce the dragonfly from the larvae,
the iris from the bud, the lawyer from the infant?
We are all shape-shifters and magical re-inventors.
Life is really a plural noun, a caravan of selves.
Diane Ackerman
Just as a mother would protect her only child with her life, even so let one cultivate a boundless love towards all beings.
Buddha
Bloom where you’re planted
I’ve always loved this simple quote. It reminds me, that no matter where I am in life, I can thrive and grow. I can be as much or as little as I decide to be. And if I want to be a magical flower, it doesn’t matter if I’m in a weed patch or a well-maintained botanical garden, it’s my choice to bloom.
Shine bright and bloom in your own little space, right in the garden, or weed patch, where you are currently planted.
The garden has come a long way since early spring. It’s always amazing to see how fast the flowers transform the space from just budding to magical. If you didn’t see the early springtime post, please take a peak! The cottage garden has come an even longer way since we built this garden. If you haven’t already, check that post too!
Bita
You have a beautiful garden, Jill, how much life! And some very nice companions.
For some reason I have remembered the scene in Alice in Wonderland where she lies in the garden and a lot of flowers surround her while singing ‘In a World Of My Own’.
This year I moving for a weed patch, it is not being very good year and I wish that something good happens every day. There is little for my birthday and I do not stop asking for wishes haha. I think that I only completed four days before Gav, on June 3, what fun it would be to know him even if it was only online haha. But you are quite right that if everyone wants to flourish wherever it is planted. Not long ago in a series I heard the phrase: From the dirt blooms the flower.
A strong hug.
Bita~
Jill
Hi Bita!
I bet you are the most wonderful flower in your weed patch!
Like you, I have been in weed patches where I felt powerless to get out. I’ve learned that you can only move to a better garden by taking action, even if it is small steps. Wishing that life would change will never make it so. Make a plan and get yourself out of any situation that doesn’t make you happy.
Sending you love and strength and girl power! xoxo Jill
Jade
Hi Jill,
Wow what you just wrote about flowers completely resonate with me!
I’ll never see tiny flowers the same again.
We should definitely apply this to our daily lives.
Sometimes we don’t notice the beauty of people because they do not take as much place as other ones. I don’t know if I’m expressing myself very well but what I mean by that is that the beauty of us humans resides within ourselves and it doesn’t always show at first sight because we tend to see the shallow and not what’s deep inside where the true beauty is hidden (especially when we are in our 20s, it is how I feel right now).
Unfortunately we often pay too much attention to appearances (like we do with flowers), and we don’t trust ourselves enough because we care too much about what people around us think of us based on what we look like. Hence, we don’t allow ourselves to grow and bloom because we feel like tiny flowers in a world of big beautiful flowers, and it’s scary.
I’m not sure it’s exactly what you are saying but your post made me think of that!
Thank you for reminding us how important it is to stay true to ourselves.
At the end of the day, we are all beautiful flowers because it’s all about our perception.
PS: Bailey and Charlie seem so funny and loving and your flowers are incredibly beautiful! How long do they last?
Lots of love,
Jade
Jill
Hi Jade!
Yes, that is exactly what I’m saying. I spent much of my life feeling tiny and insignificant. I was also a people pleaser. I never spent any time putting myself first because I was busy pleasing anyone and everyone. As “tiny” as I was in the world, I still had value but I didn’t believe that in my heart. This is a waste of life. We are all valuable and our thoughts are what make us so. Believe in yourself. You matter. Never compare yourself to others to see if you are good enough. You are good enough.
Haha…yes, Charlie and Bailey are funny and loving and oh so naughty! I love them. And as for the flowers…some of those beauties last only a day and others for weeks. Fortunately there are so many blooms that, when one flower wilts, another opens. It’s such a lovely thing to watch and it gives me something to look forward to each day.
Shine bright beautiful, Jade. Lots of love…Jill
Akmar salim
Something about your garden make me happy and feel relax even tho I never been there 😍😍😍 thank you for willing to share us ❤️ you’re true sometimes we didn’t notice those small flowers but if we look carefully they have their own uniqueness. Make us feel grateful to God for created this beautiful world for us and bless us with eyes that can see ❤️💯😍✨ and always embrace our own uniqueness no matter how small is it and don’t compare ourself to another because god write different story for each of us 💯✨
Jill
Exactly, Akmar! We all need to strive to be our personal best…the most lovely flower we can be! I think if we all felt empowered to make a difference and we all had the mission to make the world a more loving place, then the world would be a better place even starting off with us tiny little flowers!
I see that you share so much love with your words. I love and appreciate that. The world needs more of Akmar Salim!
Spreading love into the world right along side you…xoxo Momma Jill
Aubrey
Such a magical garden! Can’t wait for all of the peonies to bloom!
Jill
Oh thank you, Aubrey! Peonies are so interesting. They don’t all bloom at once which is kind of nice because then the show lasts longer!
Thank you for your comment, my love!
xoxo Momma Jill
Vicki Dunbar
I love the thoughts about the smallest flower tending to be overlooked. That is how I have felt all my life. However, I choose to bloom irrespective of how others my overshadow me. And I know that one day, I will be noticed and appreciated. And those who have noticed me, they appreciate my heart.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful garden, but more importantly, your beautiful heart
With a grateful heart and much love – Vicki
Jill
Vicki, I completely relate. I’m the youngest of 5 kids and I often wondered if that is why I felt small and a bit lost! I’ve learned that those are my own thoughts making me feel small and it’s within my power to change it. It’s a mindset. I believe that being a people pleaser also plays into how I allowed myself to stay small. I always looked to others to validate my significance. If I wasn’t “noticed” I concluded that I didn’t matter. I decided that I will put my best work out there and not worry about validation or feedback. I’ll just love what I do and feel great about putting it out there into the world.
Full disclosure though…I’m still absolutely thrilled to be “noticed” by getting comments from readers like you. I’m hoping that is more about loving interaction with my fellow humans and less about “needing” validation!
So nice to hear from you, Vicki! Sending you love, strength and empowerment! xoxo Jill
Chloe Leatherwood
LOVE this post. Simple and beautiful! And of course the puppies are just the best. 😜
Jill
I love YOU! and the pups and the garden…but mostly you.
Terri
Jill
This is so beautiful ! 8 years ago after some hard times , I started hiking, and appreciating every flower, plant , bird etc . I often wonder while I’m hiking, and taking in every little thing in nature, how people just walk without stopping to look at all I see . I wish I would have learned at a younger age, to stop and look at the flowers , listen to the birds and breathe in the fresh air .
Thank you for sharing 🌸
Jill
Teri…it is amazing how being among the flowers can change a mindset. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by nature here in Oregon. I have to admit, I still have down days that the flowers can’t snap me out of but, usually, they help! I’m glad that you found that hiking and appreciating the little things helped you through hard times. I imagine it helped you focus on what really matters rather than getting caught up in the minutia of hard times. I know that sometimes I over think the details and the past instead of just finding a solution and moving forward.
The garden is a double edged sword for me right now because it makes me miss my mom. But…today I spent the day weeding and for the first time since she passed, I didn’t cry in the garden…I just talked to her! It was nice to be on the ground with dirty hands appreciating all the pretty little things.
Thank you for your comment, Teri! Lots of love to you. xoxo Jill
Jo Anne
Oh, Jill. It is the most simple things in life that should be our focus. There are so many things that complicate our realities. It’s nice to just bask in the glow of the sunshine and God’s earth. To feel all else melt away and just have peace….if only for a moment. To know that we are all here for a reason and that we are all important. Going back to the simple things….the garden…..caring for our loved ones (including pets) and all the joy that gives us. To pass on our experiences, struggles, successes is all a part of our journey. It all brings us back to the simple things……….
xo Jo Anne
Jill
So true, Jo Anne! I think I am truly the happiest when I’m doing the simple things. For years I thought I needed a career so I could be proud of myself and make others proud. So, I had a career but deep down, all I wanted to do is raise my kids and nest in my home and garden. I’m not much of a women’s libber! Maybe if I didn’t work for many years, I wouldn’t appreciate the home time as much but I really feel, like you, that the simple things are what bring us the most happiness!
xoxo Jill