Insatiable expansion of nature

July 23rd

Over the last three weeks, I neglected my garden. First I went on my vacation trip, then my mom got Covid, then there was my sister’s wedding, then I had to catch up with the work in the office. I knew that my work in the garden wasn’t that necessary — there was plenty of rain (so I didn’t have to worry about watering) and sunshine (so everything had all it needed to grow). Today, even though the temperature was over 30 degrees Celsius, I finally took a closer look there. And I was extremely amazed by what I found.

My garden simultaneously got bigger and smaller. Every plant — trees, shrubs, flowers, grasses (normal and decorative) got bigger, branches were expanded, and more leaves and blossoms grew everywhere. And the actual footprint and space of my garden become smaller because of that. Parts of the garden become somewhat wilder and artistically unkempt — but not because of my work. Nature itself took care of it. And it seems that given a chance and a good foundation, nature can make visual miracles.

For a while I just walked around the garden, taking it all in. Enjoying it and finding the profound esthetical experience in colors mixing and branches winding next to and around themselves, creating an ersatz overwhelming wilderness. I started to make a list of things to do — this needs cutting, that needs pruning, grass needs mowing. Before I started any of that work, I stopped myself and asked: “why”? Why and for what reason do I want to do any of this work? It looks and it is beautiful now, no improvements are necessary or needed. Ok, it might be a little untidy and disorganized, but that is how nature is. There is still room for me to place a garden chair and just sit back and enjoy it all. I just let it be as it is.