To Plant a Garden

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow -  Audrey Hepburn

I have always had great respect for Audrey Hepburn.  She spoke thoughtfully and lived her life with a deep compassion for others. When I think about this, I am surprised that this is the first time I have shared a quote of hers, but it was worth the wait. And it came at the perfect time.

The chaos, division and loss of personal freedoms happening in the world today have taken me to a bad place emotionally. I fought for so many rights from the time I was a teenager and celebrated each positive step forward.  While there were still many wrongs that needed to be righted, I felt things were moving in the right direction.  Then it all came crashing down.  I found all I had fought for being tossed away. Bigotry, homophobia, misogyny and and greed had returned. 

While I have done my best to raise my voice and be heard against the wrongs I see daily, I also needed to find a small seed of hope to keep me grounded. The imagery of planting a garden took hold.  If we are willing to make plans and a commitment to our future, then it becomes possible to believe that there is a future to look forward to.  The list of possibilities is endless - planting a garden, having children, taking a class, learning a new skill, teaching others, writing a book, creating art, planning a trip, volunteering, saving towards a goal, booking a speaking engagement, inviting people to dinner. 

The goal you choose can be short or long term. It can happen next week, or be aimed a year or more down the road.  What is important is having plans to look forward to, and to work faithfully towards them.  That doesn't mean we don't try to walk through each day fully present, enjoying the moments we have now.  We do.  Fortunately it is possible to dream and plan at the same time.  

What can I do in these troubled times to keep on track? I feel continuing to speak out publicly, making sure my voice is heard, as well as letting others know their voices need to be raised as well, is a way of believing in tomorrow. I feel hopeless at times, but if I really think a brighter future could be possible, I wouldn't raise my voice and face the attacks by trolls. I still find hidden deep inside a well of hope to draw from, but it won’t be easy to turn the tide from those who wish for power. We cannot forget the power we have when we as individuals come together to fight a wrong. It is time to remember and to rise as a strong  united force for good. 

I have no idea if this quote will speak to others as powerfully as it did to me, but I hope so.  Today is your time.  Plant your garden in whatever way you feel led. Don't just try to believe in tomorrow, but commit to a better future through your actions. It may take time, as change happen slowly, but never under estimate the power of good people raising their voices together.  

What do I believe?  Liberty and justice is for all. Personal freedom only exists if it extends to everyone.  Compassion for those in need.  Diversity is to embraced and celebrated. It is humanity's greatest strength. 

What do you believe? Be absolutely clear and then plant your garden with hope.