Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Meditation


I try to make time every Sunday for my little collection of orchids. I sit at the dining table in the morning with the sun pouring in and give each one a dose of water with a little orchid fertilizer. 


I also examine them closely for the insidious scale that I can't seem to get rid of and scrape off each little turtle-backed invader. Occasionally a stink bug will be trying to hide between the petals and I become a ruthless exterminator.


Spending time looking closely at something is like a soothing meditation. 


And the orchids reward me by re-blooming. Two of the small orchids were gifts from Ethan and Justin when I was incarcerated in the nursing home/rehab facility over a year ago and they're on their third bloom cycle. The yellow orchid is one I took to Claui in the hospital when Josie was born (it's spending the winter up here as their house is too chilly) and it's on its second cycle.


Of course, the sunny east-facing window, away from drafts and direct heat is a big factor in the orchid's thriving. As is the routine use of fertilizer (weekly, weakly.)


Still, I like to think it's at least partly due to our quiet and focused time together.

I suspect we would all bloom with similar attention. 


9 comments:

Thérèse said...

Such a wise post!

Martin said...

i can't think of many things more beautiful to meditate on. A mutually beneficial relationship you have, there.

A Bit of the Blarney said...

What a great way to spend time in reflection! Thank you!

Barbara Rogers said...

Beautiful!

GPearson said...

Yes. Your words are beautiful as are your orchids. 💝

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Lovely post. Our neighbor across the street gave us an orchid for New Year's Eve when we had her and her husband and their son and wife over for dinner and to ring in the new year. I've never had an orchid before. This one is beautiful. I water it mildly, but I didn't realize I should get orchid fertilizer for it. I'll take care of that right away.

I think plants have that serene effect on one, whether indoor or outdoor. Just spending time with them.

Anvilcloud said...

We have an orchid that refuses to rebloom.

Juliet said...

I love this Vicki, and I'm sure that the contemplative, mindful time you spend with your orchids is as effective as the physical care you give them. Thank you for this reminder of how to truly care for plants.

Jime said...

Well said Vicki. Thank you for the beauty