Weeds are the Worst & Other Thoughts on Mindfulness
mindfulness·@orangina·
0.000 HBDWeeds are the Worst & Other Thoughts on Mindfulness
<div class="stackedit__html"><p>This is not an anti-marijuana post! I’m here to talk about <strong>WEEDS</strong>, not <strong>WEED</strong>, although weed could arguably have some of the same effects on your mind as what I’m about to share. But I digress…</p> <p><img src="https://s26.postimg.org/jabd50pwp/weeds_are_the_worst.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p> <p>As I was saying, weeds are the worst, but <strong>I am grateful for weeds</strong> because yanking them up roots and all is one of the most <strong>cathartic, relaxing, meditative</strong> activities in existence.</p> <p>What’s funny about weeds is they aren’t a particular kind of evil plant - just any plant that is growing somewhere that aggrieves us, for whatever reason. In the above photo, taken in one of my garden beds, you can see many, many, lovely little sprouts of aster. Here’s what it looks like, complete with bumble bees:</p> <p><img src="https://s26.postimg.org/mn8celbft/background_aster.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p> <p><strong>Ironically, aster is one of my favorite plants!</strong> It gets big, it blooms in the fall for several weeks, it produces hundreds of gorgeous purple flowers, and it attracts hundreds of pollinators everyday. But in the picture, there are far too many plants to sustain in one flower bed, especially since there are other plants I like and would like to have grow in this bed as well.</p> <p><strong>Result: Aster is a weed to me in this place and time.</strong></p> <p>The best weeds are the ones that are the most satisfying to pull. So, <strong>what do I look for in my ideal weed?</strong> I prefer a strong stem and shallow root systems. There are easily breakable stems that can still appease my need to commit plant murder if I use the right technique, such as for dandelions, which are prized for their leaves in certain recipes. Just grab as far down as possible, twist, shake, and pull simultaneously. Ahhh, that feels good! Look at that beautiful root system languishing in my hand! It only works about half the time, so the successful half of attempts is all the more pleasurable. The rest will grow to be culled another day.</p> <p>I first planted aster two years ago when one of my awesome neighbors was kind enough to share a few sprigs with me. She warned me that it spread, but I had no idea just how much. <strong>This stuff is a mutant!</strong> Evolution was not messing around when aster was selecting for the best combo of traits for eternal survival.</p> <p><strong><img src="https://i.imgur.com/RmRng9v.png"></strong></p> <p>This spring, I have already spent <strong>hours</strong> removing what seemed like <strong>miles</strong> of roots and sprouts of this beloved and yet diabolical plant. Luckily, the roots are long, strong and relatively shallow. They weave in between my daffodils and strangle my bee balm and I cannot allow them to suffocate my other babies. If I clear away a bit of earth and get a good grip on those suckers, I can often pull up several feet of roots at a time! <strong>It’s so gratifying</strong>. I wish I had taken a picture of the piles I produced by the curb.</p> <p>As a person born with a naturally anxious brain, I tend to have a very difficult time stopping the wheels from spinning at all hours of the day - even slowing them down is a challenge. When I meditate, which I do everyday, I seem to be able to focus on my breathing, count my breath, notice the sounds and sensations around me, and I still catch my mind wandering off!</p> <p><strong>But when I get in “the weed zone,” I’m so focused on rooting out the offending greenery, I don’t think about anything else.</strong> I don’t worry. I don’t fret. I don’t replay scenes of the previous day in my head and chastise myself for something relatively innocuous I said or did only to remember I must also have self-compassion and not beat myself up about the slightest transgression.</p> <p>I’m just present, here, in this moment ripping the little bastards out one by one and I keep going until my knees are bleeding or I can’t see what I’m doing anymore. The large piles of roots and leaves are a testament to my marvelous achievement. <strong>I can kiss them good-bye forever and leave them at the curb like so many worries about things that will probably never happen.</strong></p> <p><strong><img src="https://i.imgur.com/RmRng9v.png"></strong></p> <p>A new generation of aster is trying to sprout now, so I will remain vigilant and keep them under control - which just might help keep my wild anxiety in check as a bonus!</p> <p>**</p> <h2 id="whats-your-favorite-mindlessmindfulness-activity">What’s your favorite mindless/mindfulness activity?</h2> <p>**</p> <p>anxiety mindfulness meditation gardening philosophy</p> <blockquote> <p>Written with <a href="https://stackedit.io/">StackEdit</a>.</p> </blockquote> </div> </body> </html> <center>[](https://discord.gg/MVNw8NH)</center> [](https://discord.gg/QU8ASsh) 