Goodbye 2016.

Napoleon Hill once said,  “Every negative event contains within it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” For many of my friends this New Year’s Eve carries a greater significance because 2016 wrought havoc with their dreams, robbed them of loved ones and bestowed so many disappointments. In numerology 2016 is reduced to 9 and is therefore a year of endings. So many endings. I too have suffered painful moments this past year but as always I turn toward the coming year and a new season with the eyes of a gardener.

“A garden never knows when it’s over.”  Paula Deitz

Gardeners are incredibly resilient and always ready to start again, especially when it comes to caring for our gardens. We never give up. I think it could be because gardeners are focused on the future. We can let go of the past without remorse or regret. We understand from our experiences that often the adversity we encounter in our garden can open up the potential for making it even better.

There is a continuous cycle of renewal to be observed in nature. The frozen winter landscape may appear devoid of life but underneath the surface of the soil there is significant growth taking place. The roots continue to nourish the life force that rests and replenishes itself, gaining strength before it resurges into the sprouts of spring. What may seem to be a time of hardship may actually be a necessary period of dormancy that is needed to crack open the vibrant being that will reemerge and eventually flourish.

“The seed cannot know what is going to happen. The seed has never known the flower. The seed cannot even believe that he has the potentiality to become a beautiful flower.” Osho

During challenging seasons, it may seem as though everything in ours lives is falling apart.  But we are still here for a reason that may not be visible now. Deep inside ourselves there is a potential that will be birthed by our internal struggle and turmoil. This pressure may be just what is needed to push us beyond the limits of what we have imagined before. The transformation that is taking place may be exactly what is needed for us to grow into the next season of our life.

“What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly.”  Richard Bach

Let’s all welcome 2017 with arms outstretched and celebrate what is unfolding. And pass me my shovel, there is some pretty good compost left over from last year!

As always, I remain optimistic about the future.

remember goodness grows,

Heather