Cultivating Patience and Delayed Gratification

"Nature doesn't hurry, yet everything is accomplished." Tao Tzu

​It wasn't all that long ago when we had to dial a phone, attached to a wall, then listen to it ring, hoping someone would answer.  That someone might not even be the intended person we wanted to chat with.  If no one answered, we had to wait and try again later.

​Waiting, being still, and having lower expectations for instant results; allowed our minds time to calm down, rest, rejuvenate and connect with our inner selves.  In today's harried world, which many of us live in, we expect to connect instantly with someone via a text.  We are willing to trade a home cooked meal, that will nourish our bodies, for a cheap, instant gobble that doesn't even require getting out of the car, and has no, or minimal, nutrient value.
 
How can we improve our balance with this quick pace of life and attend to the rest our minds, bodies and spirits require?  Even Indianapolis 500 racecars, that reach speeds of up to 230 mph, require pit stops. They also take breaks in between races. Going full throttle, all the time, is not sustainable.
 
Communing with nature is an opportunity for us to take a pit stop.  Nature reminds us there is a rhythm to life.  There are seasons-Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall.  There are cycles-seed, sprout, grow, bud, flower, die. There is a pace.
 
Many of the changes in nature are subtle.  So subtle we may not witness them with our human eyes.  If we walk the same path in nature routinely, however, we notice significant changes do occur-leaves turning color, moss and mushrooms growing on tree stumps, ferns that have unfurled from their fiddle formation into fronds.

​One way to actively engage in this natural cycle is to plant flower bulbs during the autumn season. There are several varieties of flower bulbs.  Planting them in fall as the weather cools, but before the soil freezes, allowing them to overwinter and get a shot of cold, and come spring we will witness a magnificent display of colors and textures.

​This is a great activity for all of us, especially kids.  In my experience, kids love to plant flower bulbs.  It's a great opportunity to connect with the earth and display our creativity in the designs we plant.  Best of all, it is an opportunity to witness that some things take time, and they are worth waiting for.

Ready to plant some flower bulbs? Check out 3 Popular Bulb Varieties To Plant This Fall  for ideas, tips and resources.

All images Copyright: Susan Allison-Dean