This past weekend my husband and I planted some flowers in our yard.  I am not terribly experienced with planting things (though I do have an indoor geranium that I cherish) and felt slightly apprehensive about this task.  My husband, however, assured me that we would be just fine and reminded me how lovely it would be to come home to such beauty and color.  And so, we set off to make our selections before putting them in the ground.

After browsing the outdoor section at Lowe’s, we came home with petunias, marigolds, begonias, and a bunch of other pretty things I do not know the names for.  I had to admit, seeing the colorful flowers all together on my porch made my heart smile.  As we began to plant, we had to make some decisions about where each flower should go.  The “full sun” petunias and marigolds near the front, the “partial shade” begonias in the back, and so on.  We looked at what the flowers needed and tried to find the best location for them to thrive.  We made homes for the flowers, covered their roots with dirt, gave them a little water, and now we trust nature to do the rest.  The flowers, my husband, and I are all very pleased with the results.

This flower-planting experience not only boosted my confidence, it made me think about what is necessary for growth.  My counseling thought for the day is: treat yourself like a flower.  Give yourself what you need to thrive.  Flowers, just like people, have unique needs — if you are a full-sun petunia, take regular walks around your neighborhood and say hi to the people you meet.  If you are a partial-shade begonia, take the time to curl up with a book each day.  Self-care, as thought of in both counseling* and the broader culture, is placing yourself in the best environment for your growth.  It may seem complicated or challenging, but making simple changes to your lifestyle can have a transformative effect.  With the right amount of sun, enough water, and a nutritious bed of dirt, you too can grow to be the beautiful, colorful flower you were made to be! 

Audrey Aukeman, MA, LLPC