Every plant I’ve ever owned has died. Whether it was due to the lack of attention I gave it, or my ignorance regarding how often I should have watered it. I remember I owned a plant that needed ‘minimal attention’, yet I killed it because I failed to realize that when its leaves started to wither, turn brown, and die, it was a result of over-watering. Naturally, I assumed that watering it more frequently would bring it back to life, but man was I wrong.

This year, I plan on starting a garden in my backyard, while living up the front yard with some new hanging pots and perennials. Last winter, alone, I began my attempt to section off a part of my backyard to grow as a moss garden. It’s coming along, and I can begin to see the moss spreading to other parts of the yard, but it’s obviously going to take a little while longer than I had first expected. I’ve also recently tilled the backyard to cut down on the amount of grass that grows back there, and plan on planting some fruits and vegetables to grow over the summer.

Growing plants has proven to be a lot tougher than I had originally expected. I didn’t realize that once you sow seeds that it could take anywhere from a week to two weeks for them to germinate; there are even some flowers/bulbs that you plant at the end of summer, that would germinate by the following spring (of course, I could have read the instructions wrong).

I like to think that I’ve engaged in multiple stress-relieving activities over the years. These things vary from drawing, writing, running, driving, etc… but gardening isn’t what I had originally expected it to be. I planted some flower seeds a few weeks ago and they’re still these small green sprouts… and I’m tempted to go out and just buy some to plant in the yard. Sure, it’s a great feeling – getting dirty in the backyard and everything, but sometimes I just wish I could reap the benefits now, instead of having to wait a couple months down the line.

I guess this drives me to realize that this is a lot like life. You work hard in the here and now, and we instantly look for and/or desire immediate results. Whether those results are in the garden, physical activities/exercise, education, career opportunities – we’re always wanting them now; yet in the process we lose sight of the little things. We lose sight of the important steps we’re taking, the decisions we’re making, the lives we’re colliding with, the relationships we’re building, and the overall experiences along the way. Life is too short to be focusing our concerns on what might, could, would, or should happen in the near or distant future. Instead we should try not to worry so much about the results, so long as we’re enjoying the experience and company along the way.