If you follow me on FB, you would have seen me post about my allium harvest. I love that photo, not the least for what it reminds me of - to Practice Gratitude & Contentment in Everyday Life.
I'm new to homesteading. I started with buying seeds of just about anything I had the dream (and delusion, I must admit) of growing. This list includes onions, garlic and leeks, which can take anywhere from 6 to 8 months, some more, from seed to harvest.
Now, of course I did my research. But one can do all the research in the world and still have a need to try it out! That is me.
So, last Winter, I planted my seeds and watched them sprout, leaf-out, and flower. Now that it is the end of Spring, they are starting to have some tinges of yellow come into the leaves.
I thought that was it! It's harvest time!
Turned out, I was being a wee bit impatient. My white onions were still in their "baby onion" phase and some of the leeks aren't as big yet.
On top of it all, only one red onion seed germinated properly. I didn't plant more.
All that time...{audible sigh}.
But you know, I harvested a whole lot of scapes (young garlic and onion flower heads), and the onions and leeks I did harvest are wonderful!
Let's circle this back to our yoga mindset -
I had a choice on how to feel about it all - feel frustrated and depressed over my harvest or feel happy and grateful over the very same harvest.
The object of our emotions very rarely changes, especially when we want them to. But what can, is how we feel about them.
This is a powerful mindset. Our emotions are often raw and rebellious, but when we recognise this, we create space in our minds and emotions, which gives us:
Agency over the aftermath of circumstances and events,
Control over our reactions,
Clarity to plan and move forward,
A sense of happiness and gratitude for what is.
The next time you find yourself in a situation were the outcome isn't quite what you expected, or if you're wondering how to practice gratitude & contentment in everyday life, try out this mindset and see how you feel after.
Santosha. Contentment.
It is within your power to live it through
Gratitude.