I planted a row of willows in my backyard in 2006, thinking they’d be well suited to an area that was lower than the surrounding terrain and often got soggy in the spring. They were so tiny that I had to put cages around them so they wouldn’t get nibbled to death by rabbits. And although they did indeed thrive on all the rain and snowmelt in the spring, they needed plenty of watering through the summer. It took a while, but now they have grown into a lovely, tall, solid hedge.
Also in 2006, an educational charity of which I am a board member was incorporated—the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), headquartered in Washington DC, which teaches leadership and self-advocacy skills. Like the willows, it started out tiny, with just a few volunteers. But over the years it has grown into a stable corporation with a solid track record of grants and projects, and will be celebrating its eighth anniversary next month. (Here’s a link to the Gala Registration Page for anyone who will be in the DC area on November 12th and would like to support ASAN’s work by attending!)
It’s not quite three years since I started my blog, but I have the same feelings of positive growth and solidity with regard to my writing. At first I didn’t post as often, got fewer comments, and wasn’t as organized with the blog as I wanted to be. This year it’s all flowing more easily, I feel more connected to the blogging community, more content has built up in my archives, and I’m having more fun overall! It’s really amazing how much power there can be in the small things we do over time.
Nurturing Thursday was started by Becca Givens and seeks to “give this planet a much needed shot of fun, support and positive energy.” Visit her site to find more Nurturing Thursday posts and a list of frequent contributors.
Willow is such a wonderful metaphor for life and growing! You’ll have to post the bare branches sometime later. I put a willow sprig in the ground and now it acts as a bean pole. Lovely post 😀
Thanks! Over the winter they grow gorgeous catkins — I’ll definitely post a photo on a snowy day!
I am sure those willows are a wonderful sight to behold! 😀
Congratulations on your becoming more in-tuned with your blogging spirit and flow. It is a wonderful feeling.
Thank you for linking to NT!
It is indeed a wonderful feeling, and thank you for starting NT! I’ve definitely been feeling better nurtured since I got involved with it. 🙂
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Isn’t it wonderful when we get to that place of emotional and mental growth???
Namaste
Isadora
Yes, although the small changes might not be obvious at first, after enough time passes it’s like, “Wow!”
Hi Meg, lovely post! Most of the time the things we do with love and care grow and proliferate, if not it’s because was not the right moment. For sure you have good hands for plants, the foundation and the blog. Great work!
Thanks Elizabeth! And yes, there are times when things don’t work out because the right moment has not yet come. It’s good to keep that in mind when something doesn’t go as planned!
You started from 2006 as a board member of (ASAN) like Willow and both growth simultaneously,,,,,
It’s Very nice that you link yourself with nature.
Thanks — glad you enjoyed the post! 🙂 I was not one of the original incorporators of ASAN, and became a board member in 2008; but I had the opportunity to see most of the growth.