growing grace farm
gardening + spirituality + homesteading + creation care
Tag: lessons learned
lessons learned: root bound
When the world seems to bind us in ways that restrict, impede or obstruct our freedom and growth, I return to these words from six years ago. -cameron “You are root bound,” she said. “Your prayer might be, ‘God, give me a bigger pot.’”… Continue Reading “lessons learned: root bound”
Lessons Learned: Be Love
On Friday, we promised the younger gardener-in-residence that we would take a trip up to Graveyard Fields on the Blue Ridge Parkway and pick blueberries. Hiking to pick mountain berries is a tradition for many families in our area, and now that the word… Continue Reading “Lessons Learned: Be Love”
Nourish then Flourish
I have recently joined a collective of artists, writers, and practitioners who trust in the therapeutic aspect of nature and creation. Each in our own way, we believe that intentionally spending time with nature creates opportunities for growth, healing, inspiration and restoration. Rebecca Lefebvre… Continue Reading “Nourish then Flourish”
lessons learned: gratitude, grace, and chicken poo
Recently, I read about doing a running streak in Runner’s World – the point is to run every day from Memorial Day to the Fourth of July (I’m in America). I used to participate in 5Ks for fun – I’m not a runner but… Continue Reading “lessons learned: gratitude, grace, and chicken poo”
lessons learned: My friend, Brokenness
Recently, I have been sitting with Brokenness. For a long time, however, I was afraid to acknowledge her presence because her cracks might allow someone to see the darkness buried deep inside. And isn’t her sidekick, Wholeness, the friend we want to claim as… Continue Reading “lessons learned: My friend, Brokenness”
86,400 seconds
blogger’s note: If you’ve been following me for awhile, you willl recognize this post. There are many iterations of it on this site as it is one of my favorites. The season of Thanksgiving is here, one of my favorites, and I’ve begun focusing… Continue Reading “86,400 seconds”
lessons learned: resting in the Spirit (World Mental Health Day, October 10)
I shared this sermon at our contemplative service a handful of years ago during Mental Health Awareness Month in the UMC (May). In honor of World Mental Health Day (October 10), I’m reposting. ~cameron This week, I’ve been struck by the intermingling of mental… Continue Reading “lessons learned: resting in the Spirit (World Mental Health Day, October 10)”
lessons learned: balance and sneezeweed
About a week or so ago, I had hit my limit–spiritually, emotionally and physically. Broken ribs, cluttered home, never ending projects, new transitions–all a part of life, I know, but my soul couldn’t wrestle with another thing. On the way home from an event… Continue Reading “lessons learned: balance and sneezeweed”
lessons learned: holy hummingbirds
Often, I share with people this bit of advice from the spiritual direction world–it if happens at least 3 times, then it’s probably the Holy Spirit trying to tell you something. Most of us look to big signs or burning bushes to relay those… Continue Reading “lessons learned: holy hummingbirds”
lessons learned: trucks, traffic and trust
I’ve been doing a lot of traveling for work recently. I enjoy the opportunity to meet new people, educate conference participants, and advocate for individuals with disabilities. I like people watching at airports and finding new parks to explore. I even don’t mind sleeping… Continue Reading “lessons learned: trucks, traffic and trust”
lessons learned: at the heart of it
When my sister and I were little, our mother would surprise us by serving an artichoke with our dinner. We found it magical to peel away the layers, scraping them with our teeth and savoring the small bit of goodness at the end of… Continue Reading “lessons learned: at the heart of it”
lessons learned: hummingbirds and hope
I wrote this post a couple of summers ago, and in looking for hope today, I came across this one. ~cameron In the past couple of weeks, I have found myself taking refuge on my screened-in porch during times of day when the birds… Continue Reading “lessons learned: hummingbirds and hope”
lessons learned: hydrangeas and healing
We human beings are like plants. We need to be cared for in order to grow and thrive. It’s not always a perfect formula. In general though, we need to be watered, fed, and sometimes pruned. And just like plants, without enough nourishment, we… Continue Reading “lessons learned: hydrangeas and healing”
lessons learned: thinning
Spring has been dragging her feet this year, but she has finally made it to our little farm. Seeds that were started in the cold frame have nudged their way through warm dirt and burst forth in verdigris. It soothes my spirit to come… Continue Reading “lessons learned: thinning”
lessons learned: hydrangeas and healing
Last night as I transplanted a hydrangea my mom gave me for Easter, this meditation came back to my heart. Thought I would repost it this morning. ~cameron We human beings are like plants. We need to be cared for in order to grow and… Continue Reading “lessons learned: hydrangeas and healing”
lessons learned: dark and deadly trails
In searching for words of wisdom this morning, I inadvertently came across this older post. I’m glad it did. ~cameron Last night on our evening walk as we rounded the bend of the nature trail, I asked my daughter, “Do you want to take… Continue Reading “lessons learned: dark and deadly trails”
lessons learned: holding pattern
As I was walking the dogs yesterday, I heard the familiar cry of our neighborhood hawk. Looking up, I noticed that it was circling rather low, and instinctively, I knew that it was seeking prey. I watched as it hovered and circled, hovered and… Continue Reading “lessons learned: holding pattern”
lessons learned: hummingbirds and hope
In the past couple of weeks, I have found myself taking refuge on my screened-in porch during times of day when the birds feed. Whenever I begin to question humanity or grieve for this world, I find that sitting among nature roots me in… Continue Reading “lessons learned: hummingbirds and hope”
lessons learned: the gift of deep peace
Deep peace of the running wave to you. Deep peace of the flowing air to you. Deep peace of the quiet earth to you. Deep peace of the shining stars to you. Deep peace of the infinite peace to you. gaelic blessing This week,… Continue Reading “lessons learned: the gift of deep peace”
give up and give on–lessons learned from Lent
This is a repost from a couple of years ago. I am fully appreciating its relevance on this Ash Wednesday. ~cameron This morning, a friend of mine posted a link on her facebook wall to a “Reverse Lent Challenge.” The subhead noted, “Don’t give… Continue Reading “give up and give on–lessons learned from Lent”
lessons learned: fixer-uppers, mental lists, and peace within
Tomorrow, a dear friend and I will be facilitating a women’s retreat at my little homestead. I am so excited to host my first workshop since we remodeled our home and revamped the gardens, and yet, last night, I sat in my kitchen looking… Continue Reading “lessons learned: fixer-uppers, mental lists, and peace within”
lessons learned: tree houses, slide locks, and the need for control
When I was a around 8 or 9-years-old, my dad and I built a tree house in the forked trunk of a large pine in the back corner of our yard. It was a simple tree house–several wood blocks used as ladder steps up… Continue Reading “lessons learned: tree houses, slide locks, and the need for control”
lessons learned: of squirrels and tightropes
You’re taught at an early age, especially if you’re being raised by high-achieving perfectionist parents… you get on the tightrope and you hold your breath. I was in my mid-thirties when I discovered that if you fall off the tightrope, it’s about a foot and… Continue Reading “lessons learned: of squirrels and tightropes”
lessons learned: country girls and laying hens
This morning, I trudged out in the dark to the chicken coop. I was up earlier than usual so I could get my daughter to school, and I was not yet coherent. (Believe me, there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t… Continue Reading “lessons learned: country girls and laying hens”
lessons learned: forgiveness like a tree
This morning in my quiet time with the Creator, I was gently reminded that I needed to stop focusing on patterns of the past and let them go. I suggested surrender as the answer, and the Creator smiled and reminded me that in this… Continue Reading “lessons learned: forgiveness like a tree”
lessons learned: the benefits of a good soaking
It has been dry here the past couple of weeks, and my gardens have begun to suffer a bit. New seed starts wither and sunflowers stalks bow their heads. It is not a pretty sight. In an attempt to rescue my veggie starts, I… Continue Reading “lessons learned: the benefits of a good soaking”
lessons learned: cleanin’ out the coop
Now that we have chickens again, I’m back to this weekly chore. Thought I might repost this one~cameron Today is Saturday, the day I complete my top-to-bottom weekly cleaning of the chicken coop. Oh yay! There is much to love about homesteading, but cleanin’… Continue Reading “lessons learned: cleanin’ out the coop”
lessons learned: sacred silence
In recent readings for my spiritual direction program, various authors have been focusing on the quiet space that we are invited to journey to so that we can connect to the God Within. There are many names for this time of being alone, but… Continue Reading “lessons learned: sacred silence”
lessons learned: preparing the space
Yesterday at the grocery store, I was having a bit of trouble trying to talk with the person checking me out. “Oh,” she noted, “as I get older, I have problems multitasking too.” We laughed, and I responded that the more I grew into… Continue Reading “lessons learned: preparing the space”
lessons learned: Spring cleaning
I’m reposting today as a reminder of the benefits of a good Spring cleaning–domestically and spiritually. ~cameron Some think it’s holding on that makes one strong; sometimes, it’s letting go. ~Sylvia Robinson Last night, I was reading a meditation on the freedom of letting… Continue Reading “lessons learned: Spring cleaning”
lessons learned: take rest
I wrote this one several years ago, and as I sit here this morning engaged in some time of self care, I thought I would re-read it. The one piece I would lift up from this post is the commitment to being proactive rather… Continue Reading “lessons learned: take rest”
lessons learned: seed starts and waiting
If you read this blog occasionally, you know that one of my mantras is “just be.” I find in life there are many lessons I learn around this simple but profound phrase, and typically, it is Nature that serves as my best educator. Last… Continue Reading “lessons learned: seed starts and waiting”
Lenten reflection: bringing the gardens to light
In spite of a busy weekend, I managed to put aside a couple of hours on the warm Saturday afternoon and started cleaning out flower beds. As I surveyed my scratched up arms and legs this morning, this blog post came to mind from… Continue Reading “Lenten reflection: bringing the gardens to light”
lessons learned: grapes and intentionality
This morning, at our Celtic service, I preached on the next in the I Am series: I Am the True Vine. I was delighted that this one happened to come my way as it was a perfect opportunity for me to revisit this post… Continue Reading “lessons learned: grapes and intentionality”
lessons learned: on hauling mulch
In spite of all the challenging weather last week, yesterday gave us a bit of a break with warmer temps. I’ve not been sleeping well recently so I decided to get outside in creation and release my body, mind, and spirit. When they cleared… Continue Reading “lessons learned: on hauling mulch”
lessons learned: prayer peas and thoughts on love
I wrote this one a few years ago and return to it often. ~Cameron Many things grow in the garden that were never sown there. ~Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732 Every year, I pick a new vegetable or fruit and attempt to grow it from… Continue Reading “lessons learned: prayer peas and thoughts on love”
a milestone to celebrate
Last year, I wrote this post on this date and reread it this morning as a reminder for my soul. Five years post surgery in the world of cancer or illness is something to be celebrated with much joy. I am also embracing this… Continue Reading “a milestone to celebrate”
lessons learned: you made a mistaaaake!
This week, I was reminded of a statement I used to say to my daughter when she was a little girl, “You made a mistaaaake!” Now before you think this former early childhood teacher had no business working with little kids, let me explain.… Continue Reading “lessons learned: you made a mistaaaake!”