growing where you're planted

“Every blade of grass has it’s angel that bends over it and whispers, ‘grow, grow’. –The Talmud

When I wake up in the morning I usually feel pretty good. There’s a lot to look forward to in the early hours, like a strong cup of coffee and a day open for possibilities. I manage to serve breakfast, pack lunches, dress, drive and drop two kids off at school to return home, still eager to sink my teeth into the hours that lie before me. Unfortunately, the clock seems to tick in double time often leaving me feeling outrun. This in turn begins the if I could just… cycle.

If I could just work on this project for a few uninterrupted days…

If I could just hire a cleaning lady…

If I could just get some time to myself…

If I could just get a little more sleep…

If I could just find a pair of matching socks…

I fixate on these ideas with some crazy notion that my life would change if I could just... Oh brother. I am evolved enough to know by now that if it weren’t this list, another would most certainly take its place.

When I spotted this little spring of grass popping up from a tiny crack in our patio, I was intrigued and inspired. If this little speck of life can muster up enough energy to emerge from a nearly impossible place, then what’s to say I can’t do the same?

How would it feel to choose contentedness over desperation? What if my daily efforts were enough (without apology)? Can I put my energy into growing right where I am planted and be happy about it? I hold the hope that I can. If I could just find that angel...

Comments

[Sarah]

Beautiful post and it is exactly what I needed on this gray and rainy morning to help me start my day. Thank-you.

[mel from freak parade]

Amen. To all of it. I think I am going to concentrate, this week, on being content right where I am. Thank you for writing this.

[cyndi]

beautiful and true. both photo and your thoughts. it was exactly what i needed right now at this moment to pull my thoughts and energy into a whole new place. thank you.

[Jen]

Another beautiful post!

[Amy]

my sentiments exactly. good to know I'm not the only one who feels this way!

[maya]

"How would it feel to choose contentedness over desperation? What if my daily efforts were enough (without apology)? Can I put my energy into growing right where I am planted and be happy about it?"

As I sit here, bleary-eyed from lack of sleep and working too late, I could easily ask myself those questions.

I don't have an answer yet.

[littlepurplecow]

Love this image and your words. And send me one of those angels.

[Ginna]

Amen. It sure is nice to know there are others in my same boat. I think photography helps me with the desperation sometimes. It makes me feel like I'm doing something that's important for some reason.

[Shelli]

Well said!

[deb]

It is possible and you will find that angel, inside of you.

[Elaine]

I certainly picked the right post to read first thing this morning. Thank you, Tracey. Not only are you a gifted photographer, you are an insightful, straight-to-the-heart reader. When the sun comes up, I'm going out to take a photo of a little shoot growing up through a hard, rough as a reminder of your words.

[Elaine]

oops, that should be "hard, rough place..."

[megan]

here, here, tracey! great words to start my day!

[Elspeth]

Fantastic shot! I can sense the angel in it too.

[Busymomma66]

Beautiful.

Oh, and if you find that angel, would you send her over...

[simply]

Wonderful post...I took this shot a few years ago...It is simply titled "grow where your planted" I could not believe something so beautiful could grow out of something so dead (the dead log) It just goes to show ya...you can be beautiful no matter what the circumstanses :o) you just need to grow where your planted.

http://bp2.blogger.com/_A1Xbjk4uEks/RuDY8b7XRAI/AAAAAAAAAXo/XL8sSuVOVuY/s1600-h/grow+where+your+planted.jpg

[AllisonK]

Beautiful said with the perfect photo!

[Kacey]

Wonderful post. (and pic) I think we often waste time on the what ifs and if onlys. I discussed "Are you Happy, no Really Happy" at this post http://www.wineonthekeyboard.com/2008/01/18/really-happy/ and how I finally came to the point where I really am happy with my life.

[Kacey]

Great post, and wonderful Pic. There is so much promise in that photo.

I talked about this on my blog not long ago. "Are you Happy, No Really Happy" http://www.wineonthekeyboard.com/2008/01/18/really-happy/ . I think we often get lost in what ifs, and if onlys. It took me a long time to get to the point where I could say, hey I'm really happy right where I am now. Thanks for the reminder.

.

[Sarah-Ji]

Tracey, beautiful image and beautiful thoughts. Contentedness is something I long for. "If only we'd waited to buy a house instead of a condo..." "If only I could find a job closer to home..." "If only I didn't have to work at all..." It's a slippery slope. I think I'll go look for that angel (who I presume to be hidden somewhere in my very own heart).

[Juniper]

A beautiful post, giving me a lot of food for thought. Thank you.

[Marcie]

Such a beautiful post...thanks for the inspiration.
To consciously choose hope and happiness over worry and desperation...isn't that what photography is all about? Focusing and capturing the details that make each day special?

http://marciescudder.blogspot.com/2008/02/hope-springs-eternal.html
http://marciescudder.blogspot.com/2008/02/catch-me-if-you-can.html
http://marciescudder.blogspot.com/2007/12/holding-on.html

[Michelle]

Beautiful pic and post! You really spoke to my soul today. I not only use "if I could just" but also, "as soon as I'm done with...". I hurry through my busy days thinking that I'll have time to enjoy life more "as soon as I'm done with"... whatever... soccer season... basketball season... elementary school... next week... next month. Every now and again I have to smack myself and remember to enjoy "now", no matter how busy it is.

I love this site so much... for the photos, the inspiration, the thought provoking posts, and the responses from other women that make me feel "normal". Thank you so much for Shutter Sisters. :)

[Lawyer Mama]

Great photo and wonderful post. I spend a lot of time saying that to myself too....

[spencercasa]

thanks for a great reminder. be content. i will try!

[Janie]

I think you are an angel in disguise. In this post, you said EXACTLY what I needed to hear on a Friday of a very disappointing and tough week. Thanks for sharing that perspective - very powerful.

[Shalet]

Exactly! I've a list a mile long and completed nothing on it. But, I'm just going to be content with things as they are. Happy Friday!

[Bunny]

Oh, Tracey, those words are like an angel's whisper to my ears (if that doesn't sound too corny). I have been struggling and trying to change and choose happiness instead of just spouting off the "if I could just"s. I am hopeful that we can get there.

[Wendy]

Those were the exact words I needed to hear today. thanks

[tracey]

It's so nice to know I'm not alone in this! Thanks everyone for your comments!

[willy]

I applaud your creativity

[Amanda]

Not very long ago my job relocated me to another state. Although I knew it was coming, I was still sad to leave the place that had become home. When my husband and I moved into our new house, my mother sent me a gift - a book of coupons to local restaurants - with a note that said, "Bloom where you're planted". Thank you for the reminder to focus on where I am now and try to enjoy more of it.

[Tanya]

thank you for speaking through my "if onlys"

[camerashymomma]

this is a beautiful photo tracey!

[krystyn]

Tracey, just the title and the image... I just... well... I really needed this today.

Thank you.