Nurturing Growth: My Journey to Healing Through Gardening
Reflections on the mental and physical connection between returning to our core custodial nature as humans and our personal wellbeing.
When I lived in Bangkok, I was away from my family and spend many hours alone in a my apartment. Even once I had made friends and community, most of my day on the weekend was spent in my apartment.
In my first studio, I had a small balcony that looked out at a very old shanty, and the back side of a large mall complex. I was looking for ways to beautify my space and one day while I stumbled across the flower market at Bangkok’s renowned Chatuchak Market.
I began to buy flowers and plants to fill my balcony space, which was only about 8 feet by 6 feet. And fill it I did. I had everything from Orchids to sweet smelling Frangipani. I even bought a 3 foot diameter bowl to put fish and lotus blossoms in.
Most of my days were spent caring for the plants, nurturing the space and it gave me a little sliver of nature in the sprawling concrete metropolis. I didn’t realize it, but I think this became a natural way in which I was coping with being mostly alone and largely disconnected from my family and close friends.
Later, I moved to a larger place with a balcony that had the same square footage as the apartment itself. It was huge and when I moved all my plants in, they only took up maybe a tenth of the space. On top of that, my sliding glass doors now looked out at a ghost building. These ghost buildings were buildings around Bangkok that had started construction decades ago and then came to a hault. No work was done of that building the entire time I was living there. I’d hear an occasional hammer. I went back to Bangkok 5 years ago and was surprised to find that building complete as a hotel.
Every weekend I went to work collecting new plants, learning how to propagate Frangipani. I found two split coconut shells on the side of the road with shoots peaking out. I picked them up and planted them in large pots. I even bought a potted banana tree. My garden was absolutely amazing and it was a nice contrast to the ghost building that I looked out at from my sliding glass doors.
This year, I made a decision to start creating a garden in my father's yard after his passing. This space, which had mostly been overrun with weeds, trees and gophers, has become a sanctuary for my own journey of healing and personal growth. The process of nurturing and tending to a garden has become a powerful model for how I approach my own health and well-being.
Gardening is more than just planting seeds and watching them grow. It's about creating an environment where life can flourish, much like the way we must nurture our own bodies and minds to achieve optimal health. Each step in the gardening process mirrors the steps we take to maintain and enhance our wellness.
When I talk about joint health and mobility training, I’m talking about creating and nurturing and environment where optimal growth can occur. I’m talking about creating a space where the sum of the parts can create beautiful movements and sustain your life’s force and passion.
To cultivate a thriving garden, we must first modify the soil, ensuring it is rich and conducive to growth. I liken this to modifying your joint tissue and expanding space.
But this can also serve as a analogy for the choices we make about the food we eat and the environments we place ourselves in. Providing water and key nutrients through fertilizer is essential, just as consuming high-quality, nutritious food is crucial for our health. In both gardening and personal wellness, the foundation we build directly influences the results we achieve.
Gardening as Healing and Stress Relief
The act of gardening offers profound healing and stress relief. Digging in the soil, planting seeds, and tending to plants provide a sense of purpose and connection to nature.
It’s a meditative process that allows us to slow down, breathe deeply, and focus on the present moment. Each weed pulled and each flower that blooms is a reminder of the beauty that can arise from dedicated care and attention.
I think deep down inside our fundamental state is as caretakers of the land. I think our bodies are rebelling against this daily as we find ourselves stuck inside of this system that seeks to take more than it gives.
Being a caretaker of the land is similar to being a caretaker of our own bodies. Just as a gardener observes the needs of their plants, we must listen to our bodies and respond to their signals. Both require patience, consistent effort, and a willingness to invest time and energy into creating something beautiful and sustainable.
Overhauling a plot of land in poor condition is much like addressing a body in poor condition—it requires a commitment to gradual improvement and an understanding that meaningful change takes time.
The Patience and Effort in Transformation
Transforming a neglected garden into a vibrant, flourishing space takes considerable patience and effort, much like the journey to improve our health and well-being. It's a process that involves clearing out the old, nurturing the new, and maintaining a balance that supports continuous growth. Each small step we take, whether it's planting a new seed or adopting a healthier habit, contributes to our larger goal of creating a thriving, healthy environment for ourselves and our bodies.
Inspiration:
I was inspired to write this after reading some of the weekly reflections of my former primary care doctor, colleague and friend Dr. Rak Jotwani. Dr. Rak played a key role in helping me pivot at a point where I was allowing my health to slip a little bit. I was the perfect patient/accomplice because of my background in fitness and wellness and we connected immediately.
We lost touch when he left the organization that I receive medical care from. We recently reconnected after my father’s passing and these things are not coincidence. A former client happened to reach out to me around that time and asked had I seen Dr. Rak’s website. I had not and so I went to check it out. I had actually referred that client to Dr. Rak and they didn’t get the chance to connect before he left the organization.
My former client said that he just happened to be checking out what Dr. Rak was up to and came across it. I thought, this means something. So I reached out on Linkedin and connected. Over most of this year, we’ve been mapping out what a collaboration would look like between us. Considering his goals are rooted in lifestyle medicine, it’s a perfect fit for my approach to coaching.
I’m looking forward to sharing more with you as our visions materialize.
But the really cool thing that happened is that my former client is now my client again. I’m working in collaboration with Dr. Rak as we now provide collaborative care for this person and this is just the beginning.
Dr. Rak’s reflections always come with these 3 final actions so I was inspired to include them also. Below you’ll find a link to his Substack.
Roots Reflection 🌳
Take a moment this week to reflect on a time when you undertook a significant transformation, whether in your personal life, health, or a project. What motivated you to start? How did the journey of gradual improvement shape who you are today?
Awareness Action 🧘🏾
Connecting with Nature: This week, spend at least 15 minutes each day connecting with nature. Whether it's through gardening, walking in a park, or simply sitting outside, take the time to observe and appreciate the natural world around you. Notice the small details—the colors, textures, and sounds. Allow this connection to ground you and bring a sense of calm and presence to your day.
Kindness Opportunity 💖
Identify someone in your life who might be dealing with stress or going through a challenging time. Offer them a small plant, packet of seeds with a note of encouragement. This simple act of kindness can provide them with a source of hope and a reminder that growth and beauty can emerge even in difficult times.
I’m so touched by this edition Rich! I went out for a hike with some friends this morning so Awareness Action ✅👊🏽🙏🏽