Closer to God in a garden

[Goodlife1970]

Thank you both,I THINK Im a little clearer on things now.So many terms are bandied about willy-nilly that the meanings of words are often lost or the words themselves hijacked by people who have no knowledge or regard for their true meaning. Im just as guilty as anyone of this,I used to regard myself as a Feminist until it became clear to me in my particular circumstances,that I am not as strong as a man (ok prehaps a weakly one!) phsyically,neither am I suited to doing a mans job,I would make a terrible builder for example,but my strengths lie in other directions,Im a good homemaker,mother,cook and problem solver,and whats more I ENJOY it,and I enjoy being a woman! So Im not a feminist then? Am I? Simliarly I wouldve said I was an Atheist as I dont do religion and cannot subscribe to the thought of a Divine Being,however thats not to say that I dont have a "spiritual" side ( I nearly died a couple of years ago and whilst I was in hospital awaiting an emergency operation,I had the strangest feeling of peace,even amid all the chaos,it was like I had it all figured out.) and I get the same feelings of peace in the garden as those of you who have Faith,so again,what am I? Crickey! It doesnt get any easier does it?

[Mandyz]

,I used to regard myself as a Feminist until it became clear to me in my particular circumstances,that I am not as strong as a man (ok prehaps a weakly one!) phsyically,neither am I suited to doing a mans job,I would make a terrible builder for example,but my strengths lie in other directions,Im a good homemaker,mother,cook and problem solver,and whats more I ENJOY it,and I enjoy being a woman! So Im not a feminist then? Am I?

You don't have to do a man's job to be a feminist. That is a now out-dated interpretation of feminism. (I was a feature of feminism once, but no longer.) Check out some of the new literature and what feminists are doing now. You may discover that you ARE a feminist! :)

[Shelle]

so again,what am I? Crickey! It doesnt get any easier does it?

I am getting closer to the realisation that i am who i am ... cannot put myself into a neat little package with a label ... but i am so many of these labels

[hedgewizard]

Wow. Can'o'worms (tm)!

I think I'll just go and plant my potatoes quietly...

[Shelle]

i just think it is great we all have our own views on life but come here to share together our love of our gardens and our passion for SSness

[Wombat]

well said!

[Shirley]

Well said....

Also coming across is the fact that although we all have different views we can even discuss these views without coming to blows... which speaks volumes dontcha think??

I've actually learnt a lot from this thread - thanks everyone

[hedgewizard]

[Wombat]

[Mandyz]

[libran]

Well this really got a lot of answers flooding in - Makes interesting reading, quite revealing!! I've had my knee operation now (7 weeks ago) and I just can't wait to get back on to my allotment. Hobbled down a couple of times with my crutches and now looking forward to a weeks break at Easter and hopefully getting back to work. personally I feel that there is something quite spiritual about working with the land. I love the feel of the soil running through my fingers (No gardening gloves - doesn't quite have the same effect with gloves on) and I am quite content to just sit quietly and listen. The quiet can be so noisy if you listen carefully enough. And just watching the birds, insects, animals etc puts everything in to perspective. They are all so busy just living!
I think that just going to the allotment, even though I couldn't work it, has really helped my recovery. Its as though the earth is just sat there saying 'don't despair - I'll wait for you- I'll always be here' and indeed it will. maybe overgrown with weeds by the time I can start properly again but that's the comforting thing. It will still be there.
So Hi to all my fellow gardeners. heres looking forward to a successful growing season - horticulturaly and spiritualy. Regards Libran

[hedgewizard]

I'm not surprised it helped, and there's no shortage of research showing that contact with other living things helps us balance ourselves in all sorts of illnesses. Depression, wound healing and autism are three studies that I've seen lately. Shame allotments aren't prescribable on the NHS - I bet that if anybody measured the benefits they'd work out it would be cheaper to give people allotments than spend out on sedatives, weight control drugs, antidepressants, fibre supplements... welcome back Libran, and my wishes for a full recovery!

[Wombat]

what hedgie said!

Nev

[chadspad]

Hi all,
Without wanting to dig up an old thread, I have just read this one and wanted to join in.
Being a Reiki healer, I get a huge rush of energy whilst working in the garden. My hands throb sometimes for the sheer amount of energy travelling threw my hands to the plants. Its great to be able to give help to sick plants then watch them bounce back and I always give an extra blast to veggie seeds as I plant them

[Shirley]

That's lovely chadspad.... I just get hayfever at the moment... only been out there for 5 mins and I've had to come back in with eyes streaming etc etc....

Hit the luffa immediately but eyes still very sore... tis windy too though and the wind is coming from the direction where they are cutting the grass on the top of the hill.

Not fair!! Sniff - sniff... accchooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oops.