To those who have not yet learned the secret of true happiness,
begin now to study the little things in your own dooryard.
- George Washington Carver
Welcome to the Enclosed Garden of Susan Ernst. Literal as well as figurative, this blog explores the physical gardens which I cultivate, the spiritual garden within, and the intellectual garden of horticultural knowledge gathered through decades of study, observation and practice. Come and sit with me for a while. Let us together marvel at the delicate, intricate beauty of a flower.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Julia Cameron on Blooming Where You're Planted
On July 4, I wrote about not feeling "at home" in my community and compared it to the Parable of the Sower. Listing my questions, doubts and uncertainty, I ended by stating that I would look more into this topic. I read today in Julia Cameron's book, The Sound of Paper, this paragraph:
"It is difficult to commit to living where we are, how we are. It is difficult and it is necessary. In order to make art, we must first make an artful life, a life rich enough and diverse enough to give us fuel. We must strive to see the beauty in where we are planted, even if we are planted somewhere that feels very foreign to our own nature. In New York, I must work to connect to the parts of the city that feed my imagination and bring me a sense of richness and diversity instead of mere overcrowding and sameness. In California, my friend must work to do the same. If we are not willing to work in this way, we become victims. If we become victims, we first become choiceless and then become voiceless. Our art dries up at the root. We must, as the elders advise us, bloom where we are planted. If we later decide that we must be transplanted, that our roots are not in soil rich enough for our spirits, at least we have tried."
Not speaking of the parable, but speaking about how I often feel, these words from Julia encourage me to do what I wrote I must do. Make sure my roots are growing and that I am flourishing to the best of my ability. Seeing God in all things because he certainly is there. I have been blessed with so much. I live in a suburban neighborhood, but when I am in the back garden or sitting on the back porch, it is easy to imagine I am in the country. I am so thankful for that.
"It is difficult to commit to living where we are, how we are. It is difficult and it is necessary. In order to make art, we must first make an artful life, a life rich enough and diverse enough to give us fuel. We must strive to see the beauty in where we are planted, even if we are planted somewhere that feels very foreign to our own nature. In New York, I must work to connect to the parts of the city that feed my imagination and bring me a sense of richness and diversity instead of mere overcrowding and sameness. In California, my friend must work to do the same. If we are not willing to work in this way, we become victims. If we become victims, we first become choiceless and then become voiceless. Our art dries up at the root. We must, as the elders advise us, bloom where we are planted. If we later decide that we must be transplanted, that our roots are not in soil rich enough for our spirits, at least we have tried."
Not speaking of the parable, but speaking about how I often feel, these words from Julia encourage me to do what I wrote I must do. Make sure my roots are growing and that I am flourishing to the best of my ability. Seeing God in all things because he certainly is there. I have been blessed with so much. I live in a suburban neighborhood, but when I am in the back garden or sitting on the back porch, it is easy to imagine I am in the country. I am so thankful for that.
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| Me in my backyard. Photo by Corina S. Alvarezdelugo |
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Sunday Morning Quote July 20, 2014
Yesterday is a dream.
Tomorrow but a vision.
But today well lived makes every yesterday
a dream of Happiness.
And every tomorrow
a vision of Hope.
Look well, therefore, to
this Day.
- Sanskrit Proverb
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Sunday Morning Quote July 13, 2014
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| Saturday Iris by Susan Ernst. The first of what I hope will be an ongoing series. |
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
- Rumi
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
From the Garden Today
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Last of the snap peas. Chamomile in foreground
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The grapes are looking good. The birds think so too. They are already checking to see if they are ripe!
An heirloom hollyhock
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Sunday Morning Quote July 6, 2014
through which God speaks to us every hour,
if we only will tune in.
- George Washington Carver (1864-1943), American scientist
Saturday, July 5, 2014
A New Series - Sunday Morning Quotes
I posted yesterday, but it has been a while since I have done anything regular here. I've decided to do a weekly post entitled Sunday Morning Quote. My aim is to share quotes that I find inspiring or that speak the thoughts and feelings I sometimes have a difficult time articulating. I will try to find a photo from the Hortus Conclusus to fit or compliment it.
Please feel free to add a comment if the quote inspires or speaks to you as well.
Please feel free to add a comment if the quote inspires or speaks to you as well.
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