[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-53px|||||”][et_pb_row disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”1640px” custom_padding=”0px|||0px||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_line_height=”2.5em” custom_padding=”|124px||124px|false|false”]<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s today\u2019s story. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. <\/span><\/p>\n I was asked to send a little video greeting to a TV show in Serbia to share how I\u2019m spending my summer. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m playing local gigs, working on my memoir, attending an online class that will help me be a better coach, and getting ready for a trip to Croatia to visit my mom,\u201d I said. I stood in my garden in front of my phone camera attached to a microphone stand, carefully placed between the fennel and cucumber plants. <\/span><\/p>\n I wanted my sunflowers to be in a shot with me. I\u2019m sure someone on the other side of the earth will watch the video, notice them and their heart will be stirred. <\/span><\/p>\n Those sunflowers somehow landed on one of the beds when they were only small seeds. They spent some time just waiting and then one day showed up like fairies. I had no idea they were there, quietly growing, supported, and loved by the tomato and squash plants around them.<\/span><\/p>\n One morning I stepped out of the house to greet the day and, as a part of my morning routine, thanked each plant in the garden for being there, growing for me, and for awakening my heart with gratitude for the gift of life in all forms. I noticed them right away. <\/span><\/p>\n They were tall, bright yellow, and beautiful. It was as if they came up on behalf of all the plants in my garden to thank me for the little bit of attention and care I give them each day.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_line_height=”2.4em” custom_padding=”|8px||7px|false|false”]<\/p>\n Here\u2019s today\u2019s story. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. <\/span><\/p>\n I was asked to send a little video greeting to a TV show in Serbia to share how I\u2019m spending my summer. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m playing local gigs, working on my memoir, attending an online class that will help me be a better coach, and getting ready for a trip to Croatia to visit my mom,\u201d I said. I stood in my garden in front of my phone camera attached to a microphone stand, carefully placed between the fennel and cucumber plants. <\/span><\/p>\n I wanted my sunflowers to be in a shot with me. I\u2019m sure someone on the other side of the earth will watch the video, notice them and their heart will be stirred. <\/span><\/p>\n Those sunflowers somehow landed on one of the beds when they were only small seeds. They spent some time just waiting and then one day showed up like fairies. I had no idea they were there, quietly growing, supported, and loved by the tomato and squash plants around them.<\/span><\/p>\n One morning I stepped out of the house to greet the day and, as a part of my morning routine, thanked each plant in the garden for being there, growing for me, and for awakening my heart with gratitude for the gift of life in all forms. I noticed them right away. <\/span><\/p>\n They were tall, bright yellow, and beautiful. It was as if they came up on behalf of all the plants in my garden to thank me for the little bit of attention and care I give them each day.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/tatianacameron.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/FINAL_Blog-Banner-TC.com-15.png” title_text=”FINAL_Blog Banner TC.com (15)” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” hover_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_line_height=”2.5em” custom_padding=”|124px||124px|false|false”]<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, summers are a time when I like to spend more time with kids, and just relax with them.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>I continued, smiling into the camera.\u00a0\u201cAnd I love getting my hands dirty in my garden.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n I paused. That didn\u2019t sound right. I stopped the video and started over.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI love getting my hands clean by working in the garden.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/u>I said with a little nod to my plants.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That\u2019s good, my heart said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n My organic garden is the place where I get to clear out my mind and get rid of stress. It’s\u00a0where my hands pick up a bunch of good bacteria that my body needs to deal with toxins. It IS cleansing. \u2018Getting your hands dirty in the garden\u2019 is a no-good phrase\u00a0LOL…<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s so refreshing to touch the good soil, to feel the plants and the life energy that cleanses us and creates this abundance of nourishment for the mind, body, and soul.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I placed the equipment back into\u00a0the house, changed out of my beautiful Bognar & Piccolini blouse, and went on an evening inspection of my little garden.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This year, I got a bit more adventurous. I started a few plants from seeds, I built a small stone patio and planted all kinds of flowers, hastas, herbs, ground covers, and even a hydrangea plant that I\u2019d been wanting for years (they were always expensive, and I was too afraid that I wouldn\u2019t be able to keep it alive).<\/span><\/p>\n David walked along with me. I showed him the little morning glories that a few days ago were just tiny things. I had made a trellis out of twine, and I was ready to tie them to it. <\/span><\/p>\n But they beat me to it; somehow, as small as they were, they found the twine\u00a0(how in the world did they know it was there???)<\/em>\u00a0and already started climbing on it\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n David noticed that one of the newly planted mints looked pretty sad.\u00a0\u201cIt looks dead,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0he said. I explained that it wasn\u2019t dead, just in shock.<\/span><\/p>\n When plants are transplanted, they might shed their leaves and stop the new growth in order to use all the energy to get used to the new environment and establish roots. Once they are stable, they resume their \u2018seen\u2019 appearance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Everything alive on our planet has the intelligence to \u2018know\u2019 when and how to grow\u00a0and when to rest or recover.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_line_height=”2.4em” custom_padding=”|16px||6px|false|false”]<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, summers are a time when I like to spend more time with kids, and just relax with them.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>I continued, smiling into the camera.\u00a0\u201cAnd I love getting my hands dirty in my garden.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n I paused. That didn\u2019t sound right. I stopped the video and started over.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI love getting my hands clean by working in the garden.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/u>I said with a little nod to my plants.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That\u2019s good, my heart said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n My organic garden is the place where I get to clear out my mind and get rid of stress. It’s\u00a0where my hands pick up a bunch of good bacteria that my body needs to deal with toxins. It IS cleansing. \u2018Getting your hands dirty in the garden\u2019 is a no-good phrase\u00a0LOL…<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s so refreshing to touch the good soil, to feel the plants and the life energy that cleanses us and creates this abundance of nourishment for the mind, body, and soul.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I placed the equipment back into\u00a0the house, changed out of my beautiful Bognar & Piccolini blouse, and went on an evening inspection of my little garden.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This year, I got a bit more adventurous. I started a few plants from seeds, I built a small stone patio and planted all kinds of flowers, hastas, herbs, ground covers, and even a hydrangea plant that I\u2019d been wanting for years (they were always expensive, and I was too afraid that I wouldn\u2019t be able to keep it alive).<\/span><\/p>\n David walked along with me. I showed him the little morning glories that a few days ago were just tiny things. I had made a trellis out of twine, and I was ready to tie them to it. <\/span><\/p>\n But they beat me to it; somehow, as small as they were, they found the twine\u00a0(how in the world did they know it was there???)<\/em>\u00a0and already started climbing on it\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n David noticed that one of the newly planted mints looked pretty sad.\u00a0\u201cIt looks dead,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0he said. I explained that it wasn\u2019t dead, just in shock.<\/span><\/p>\n When plants are transplanted, they might shed their leaves and stop the new growth in order to use all the energy to get used to the new environment and establish roots. Once they are stable, they resume their \u2018seen\u2019 appearance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Everything alive on our planet has the intelligence to \u2018know\u2019 when and how to grow\u00a0and when to rest or recover.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/tatianacameron.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/2021-Blog-SM-posts-7.png” title_text=”2021 Blog SM posts (7)” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ width=”55%”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_line_height=”2.5em” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|124px||124px||”]<\/p>\n I mused, reflecting on this obvious truth. Humans are the only species that seem to have forgotten that.<\/span><\/p>\n We insist on pushing through shock and trauma, we ignore the seasons, the rhythms of the sun and the moon and the stars, and we completely miss the connection with the environment which supports us and provides the oxygen we breathe and the food we eat.<\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019ve been abusing our place \u2018under the sun\u2019 (on our planet\u00a0and in our eco-systems), and we wonder why our minds are off-balance, our bodies out of whack and diseased, and our souls feel lost.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n David looked at me and said I was turning into a hippie.\u00a0LOL<\/span><\/p>\n I gave him a peace sign and said I\u2019ve always been a hippie. If a hippie means being in love with life and nature and seeing the connection between all creatures and all things and God, then I guess\u00a0I\u2019m a hippie.<\/span><\/p>\n I see no separation, only walls that we build out of arrogance and greed, which then prevent us from seeing the beauty, wonder, and connectedness of it all.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Speaking of connectedness and walls, our recent Kimbro\u2019s gig was just perfect! Thank you all who sent in tips for the band!<\/span><\/p>\n We played music of different genres (just like my garden, which is\u00a0a mix of flowers and different vegetables). Most of our audience were friends and acquaintances.<\/span><\/p>\n I knew how different each person was – I knew a bit about\u00a0their beliefs, and I knew how we would easily find so much to disagree on. But instead, we were there together, singing songs that connected us in our shared pain, hope, and joy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I sang the song \u201cWindow in the Wall\u201d – the song I co-wrote and Olivia Newton-John recorded earlier this year – and felt deep gratitude and optimism for all of us.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We can do this\u2026 We can come together after a year that tore us apart.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We can thrive and grow after the season that shook us (and shocked many, traumatized some, and made us all shed some stuff and focus our energy on finding strength in life-giving resources – relationships, family, faith, nature, love, life itself, God).<\/span><\/p>\n We can heal on the personal level and as humanity. I know we can.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And the path to healing doesn\u2019t have to be complicated.<\/strong>\u00a0It can start with simple steps like noticing when sunflowers pop up for us, or when a stranger smiles at us for no reason, and consciously connecting with life that surrounds us.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It can start with spending some time in silence, focusing on your breath, slowing down the activity of your mind and listening to your heart and God.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It can continue with reflecting on some soul questions.<\/span><\/p>\n Here are a few (pour yourself a glass of water, take out your journal, sit under a tree and write):\u00a0 And here are some more: [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|on” _builder_version=”4.5.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_line_height=”2.4em” min_height=”49px” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||”]<\/p>\n I mused, reflecting on this obvious truth. Humans are the only species that seem to have forgotten that.<\/span><\/p>\n We insist on pushing through shock and trauma, we ignore the seasons, the rhythms of the sun and the moon and the stars, and we completely miss the connection with the environment which supports us and provides the oxygen we breathe and the food we eat.<\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019ve been abusing our place \u2018under the sun\u2019 (on our planet\u00a0and in our eco-systems), and we wonder why our minds are off-balance, our bodies out of whack and diseased, and our souls feel lost.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n David looked at me and said I was turning into a hippie.\u00a0LOL<\/span><\/p>\n I gave him a peace sign and said I\u2019ve always been a hippie. If a hippie means being in love with life and nature and seeing the connection between all creatures and all things and God, then I guess\u00a0I\u2019m a hippie.<\/span><\/p>\n I see no separation, only walls that we build out of arrogance and greed, which then prevent us from seeing the beauty, wonder, and connectedness of it all.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Speaking of connectedness and walls, our recent Kimbro\u2019s gig was just perfect! Thank you all who sent in tips for the band!<\/span><\/p>\n We played music of different genres (just like my garden, which is\u00a0a mix of flowers and different vegetables). Most of our audience were friends and acquaintances.<\/span><\/p>\n I knew how different each person was – I knew a bit about\u00a0their beliefs, and I knew how we would easily find so much to disagree on. But instead, we were there together, singing songs that connected us in our shared pain, hope, and joy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I sang the song \u201cWindow in the Wall\u201d – the song I co-wrote and Olivia Newton-John recorded earlier this year – and felt deep gratitude and optimism for all of us.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We can do this\u2026 We can come together after a year that tore us apart.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We can thrive and grow after the season that shook us (and shocked many, traumatized some, and made us all shed some stuff and focus our energy on finding strength in life-giving resources – relationships, family, faith, nature, love, life itself, God).<\/span><\/p>\n We can heal on the personal level and as humanity. I know we can.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And the path to healing doesn\u2019t have to be complicated.<\/strong>\u00a0It can start with simple steps like noticing when sunflowers pop up for us, or when a stranger smiles at us for no reason, and consciously connecting with life that surrounds us.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It can start with spending some time in silence, focusing on your breath, slowing down the activity of your mind and listening to your heart and God.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It can continue with reflecting on some soul questions.<\/span><\/p>\n Here are a few (pour yourself a glass of water, take out your journal, sit under a tree and write):\u00a0 And here are some more:<\/blockquote>\n
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