Spring Resilience: Contemplating the Supportive Power of Plants
One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.
--William Shakespeare
Eastern wisdom taps into nature and the changing seasons, and one of the approaches to healing in Traditional Chinese Medicine is centered around how the unique energy cycles of the seasons influence mind, body, and spirit. In his book, The Five Seasons, author Joseph Cardillo associates spring’s seasonal energy with the following: change, beginnings, upward mobility, cleansing, light, seeing, and creativity. A wonderful way to contemplate these aspects of spring energy is by observing the world of plants.
Like many, my attention is invariably drawn to plants as spring approaches. It’s heartening to take in the natural world with all of its stored energy gearing up and emerging in a flow of movement and creation of color. Although we may not always give them a lot of thought, plants make (literally) our world and support nearly every facet of our lives. From a macro perspective, we could say that plants paved the way for us humans. Coming long before us, they created oxygen and an atmosphere necessary for life. Plants connect us with the sun, taking in the light energy and providing it to us in the form of food and nutrients. Plants are life-giving in many ways--cleansing our air and water and providing us with materials we need for shelter, clothing, healing, etc.
We can also draw mental and emotional support from plants when we allow ourselves to slow down and notice their influence all around us.
Not only are plants resourceful, adaptive, and resilient, they embody a natural, unfaltering intelligence that, unlike the human mind, is unencumbered by thoughts of doubt, worry, or anger. We possess this quiet intelligence too; this internal sensing that--when we are still, breathe in, and allow this awareness--offers glimmers of clarity and wisdom that let us know we are a part of everything. And that we are okay.
Every seed is the promise of a thousand forests.
--Deepak Chopra
Spring embodies possibility, and possibility lives in the unknown--the yet-to-be-experienced. While wrangling with the unknown can be challenging for the human mind; plants, particularly in the springtime, provide an unwavering model for leaning into the unknown beauty and possibility that’s held within change. So, let yourself become absorbed with the natural world of plants. No need to be a horticulturist, biologist, agricultural expert, or even to have a plant on your window sill!
Take a moment, take a breath, and sense what’s around you.
Do you see a book or important paper? A piece of wooden furniture or fruit? Do you enjoy the calming inhalation of a natural oil, a sip of herbal tea, or the crisp tanginess of an onion on your cheeseburger? Can you hear the song of a bird supported by a newly budding tree branch? Or feel the well-worn comfort of cotton lining your sleeping spot? Take in the support and inspiration of plants with your senses and let them remind you of that still and powerful wisdom of simply being that lies in every aspect of nature—including each of us!
References:
Cardillo, J. (2013). The five seasons. Career Press, Inc.
Photo Credit: “Grape Hyacinth” Julie Koloc
With a strengths-based, person-centered approach to counseling, Julie (she/her/hers) is guided by respect for and understanding of this principle. Julie supports others in recognizing their strengths and building the resilience necessary to manage challenges with greater ease.
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Emotional Freedom Techniques
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy
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