With Joyful Anticipation

My neighbor and I got our fuchsia starts together this year. We tenderly cared for them indoors until the last threat of frost had passed. Then, with joyful anticipation of the hummingbirds that would soon come to feast on their nectar, we found perfect hanging spots outdoors.

Our pots received the same amount of sunlight, and we faithfully watered them on hot summer days. You can see one of hers on the left and two of mine on the right. When she lamented how poorly hers have done this year, I asked if she had fed them the little packets of fuchsia food that was available from the nursery. She hadn’t. She just couldn’t believe it would make that much of a difference. But you can see with your own eyes, the difference is significant.

Another school year is beginning. Even after 26 years, I have the same excited, idealistic, nervous hopefulness that comes every fall. You, too?

I am thinking that if we want to be full of beauty and life nine months from now, we must feed ourselves with whatever will fuel that.

Here are some of the things that nourish my teacher mind and heart.

• A little fresh air: A brief 20-minute walk, rain or shine, can go a long way toward resetting my spirit and putting things in perspective.
• Professional growth: Taking a class, joining a book study, or independently reading something that will help me reflect and refine my practice always brings new enthusiasm.
• Collegial conversations: I have a few collegial relationships that serve as sounding boards, mentors, and safe places to land. Big bonus points to the ones I laugh with whenever we are together.

So, how about you? Is it gardening? Baking? Whatever it is, I encourage you to unabashedly nourish yourself so you won’t just survive this year, but beautifully thrive through it.