Gardening Can Teach Us Lessons About Healing
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One thing from my childhood that sticks out to me were Saturday mornings. If I wasn’t playing ball, then I was helping my parents do yardwork.
My mother had an area on the side of our home where she had different plants. After my brother and I finished cutting the grass or raking the leaves, we would help her pull weeds out of her garden. She now has a green room with several different species of plants that I get to see flourish during different times of the year. Her green thumb has even rubbed off on me a little.
An environment designed for healing
When I was recovering from a surgery to remove a pituitary tumor, there weren’t many activities I could get involved in, so I decided to pick up a hobby that didn’t involve sitting in front of a television, phone, or computer. Gardening is a therapeutic activity that also provides an opportunity to learn.
As I began gardening, the first thing that stood out to me was the importance of having an environment where the plants can thrive. The second thing was what they are fed with.
Those of us who have battled, or are currently battling, Cushing’s disease understand the importance of our environment. What exactly do I mean by this? Like a plant, we need light to heal and grow. We can’t have darkness continuously around us, because eventually, we’ll start to wither.
It is imperative that we have an environment built around patience, love, and care. The main thing to remember is that we want to keep the bugs away, both literally and figuratively.
Watch what you’re feeding on
Watering and feeding plants to provide the right nutrition are equally important. Overwatering a plant can drown it, while underwatering it can cause the plant to struggle and dry out. If the pH balance is off, you’ll see problems. If you add the wrong nutrient, or too much of it, you’ll see burn or discoloration start to occur, which can lead to an unhealthy plant.
We humans are the same way. We need to be extremely careful about what we are fed and watered with. The people we turn to for support, including friends and even family, can negatively affect our healing and growth. Be on guard about what you receive from them: Too much, too little, or the wrong type can all be damaging.
Make sure your roots are grounded in healthy soil they can grab hold of, the environment is promoting growth and sustainability, and all critters and elements are limited or neutralized.
Lastly, allow healthy feeding to flourish and thrive.
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Note: Cushing’s Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cushing’s Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Cushing’s.
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