​We can learn so much from Mother Nature.  There is what I call the Cycle of Growth.  The seasons can teach us how to tend to ourselves - how to manage the "real estate" of our bodies, minds, and souls.

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Refer to my post “Mother Nature – Spring in the Vegetable Garden”.

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Mother Nature and the season of Summer

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Summer is the season when the fruits (pardon the pun) of our labours flourish and the harvesting begins.

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Hopefully, most of what we have sown will grow and flourish.  Some vegetables, such as lettuce, courgettes, beetroot, and broad beans can be harvested.  Tasting the harvest of Mother Nature fresh from the garden is one of life’s great pleasures.  We can appreciate Mother Nature and feel rewarded for the effort that we have put in.

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Some vegetables, like carrots, need to be thinned so that the remaining plants can grow to full maturity.  The soil can only support a limited number of plants.

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There are also some of Mother Nature’s predators, such as birds, slugs, and the “ever hungry” white butterfly, that can devour or sap the energy from plants.  We need to protect against these.

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At regular intervals, particularly during dry spells, plants will need to be watered.

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However, all this work and effort should pay dividends over the following months when produce can be harvested and either eaten immediately or stored over the Winter season.

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​Lessons from Mother Nature and the season of Summer

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​Summer is the season when the fruits (pardon the pun) of our labours flourish and the harvesting begins.

Hopefully, most of what we have sown will grow and flourish.  Some vegetables, such as lettuce, courgettes, beetroot, and broad beans can be harvested.  Tasting the harvest of Mother Nature fresh from the garden is one of life’s great pleasures.  We can appreciate Mother Nature and feel rewarded for the effort that we have put in.

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In terms of tending to our own physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing we should all be on a journey of growth.  We should, based on the time and effort that we have invested, be enjoying the fruits of such effort.  However, we must put in the effort.  Just like vegetables will not grow of their own accord, and need continuous care and attention, we cannot improve our wellbeing without care and attention too.

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Some vegetables, like carrots, need to be thinned so that the remaining plants can grow to full maturity.  The soil can only support a limited number of plants.

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We cannot do everything, and we cannot partake in every possible physical exercise, mental activity, or spiritual practice.  We have only limited time and energy.  Our physical, mental, and spiritual energy is limited so we must concentrate and invest in those activities and practices that we are happy to do, and which provide us with value for our efforts.  Not all practices will work out for us so choose carefully.

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There are also some of Mother Nature’s predators, such as birds, slugs, and the “ever hungry” white butterfly, that can devour or sap the energy from plants.  We need to protect against these.

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Just like Mother Nature’s predators, there are predators that will attack our own wellbeing.  These may be certain activities but, in many cases, are people who can be called “energy vampires”.  (The term comes from the book “My Stroke of Insight” by Dr Jill Bolte Taylor.)  The term refers to people who literally drain our energy when in their company.  It can be that they are permanently negative, angry, or demanding.  After spending time with them one feels drained, lacking in energy, and probably negative too.  We may not be able to avoid contact with such people as they may be family members, work colleagues, or in our social circle.  However, we should try to balance such encounters with spending time with what I call “energy enhancers”, a phrase coined by a good friend of mine.  These are people who generate energy and goodwill, and spending time in their presence lifts us and makes us feel better.  The more time that we can spend with those people the better, and they can more than offset the “energy vampires”.  We should strive to be “energy enhancers” ourselves.

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At regular intervals, particularly during dry spells, plants will need to be watered.

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We do need to keep assessing our wellbeing practices and determine whether they need extra time, effort, or support.  Sometimes we may even decide that we are not getting a return on our investment of time and effort, and give up a particular practice.

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However, all this work and effort should pay dividends over the following months when produce can be harvested and either eaten immediately or stored over the Winter season.

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The ongoing work that we invest in improving our physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing will pay dividends in the future.  Find out what works for you.  Identify your areas of growth and development.  Invest time and effort, and you will “reap the harvest” later.

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Follow Mother Nature’s lead - you should be on a continuous Cycle of Growth too.