March 2025 – By Beth L. Sinkler, Growth and Strategy Director, Maximus

I am envisioning a bountiful harvest this season, claiming my joy in hopes of bringing it to fruition. What is it, you may ask? It’s gardening season! Though I am not typically a hand-in-the-earth, dirt-under-my-fingernails kind of gal, I am giddily excited. This season, I am feeling the urge to invest time and effort in myself. That’s right, me first for a change.

I look at the empty canvas, a soiled patch under my feet. It appears bare on the surface, but the potential is there. I reframe my lens. As my toes peel the layers back, I feel the pleasing, ebony, rich soil waiting for me to drop to my knees to knead and mold it. I observe how the sunlight traces the Earth, and it responds with a tranquil exhale. Finally, the sensation of the breeze touches me and awakens the senses I will need for this task.

I’ll begin by embedding seeds of resilience. As I move through life, I will need a strong plant stem to endure the back and forth that challenges always bring. I will bend but not break.

Next, I will plant courage. My courage will have a mighty bloom. It will be important that others see my colorful courage. Whether I win with hues of blue-orange or lose, displaying green-yellow, they will say, “She was courageous in her walk. She had the courage to step out on faith. If it was not for her bravery, no telling where she would be.”

What I love about gardening is that it is long-lasting and evolves. How the garden looks today will differ tomorrow. A garden can be changed around, shuffled, replanted, redesigned, a secret garden, or an award-winning showcase.

Now that I have my seeds planted, I prepare myself for experiencing the process of growth. This is not to be confused with the process of change. Several contributors will impact this process—sunlight and shade, plant food and water, pruning and trimming. I have plenty of resources like gardening books full of tips and best practices. I am joining a gardening club, which will be an motivating experience for a first-timer. I trust this network will support and guide me. And just like healthy plants that thrive due to their owners talking to them, I will celebrate my yield by chanting out loud self-affirmations.

Lastly, let’s turn the planting rake to you. What need do you have in your daily walk? Is it strength, balance, grit, staying power, acceptance, softness, placidity, control? There is no wrong answer. Say it out loud—THIS IS MY SEASON! Put on your garden gloves and dig deep. Your seeds will empower you. You can and will reap a generous harvest.